Old Trafford protests as Manchester United report record-breaking revenue

Manchester United has announced that the club is set for a record annual revenue. The news came as members of a supporter group protested outside the stadium in a bid to push through the club’s long-speculated sale.

On Tuesday the English club released their latest financial projections, finding that they could record up to £640 million of revenue for the current financial year. This would be a record figure for United, despite coming at the end of a season in which the club did not compete in the Champions League.

As the revenue increase was being announced fans were gathered outside Old Trafford to protest against the Glazer family, the club’s American owners.

How much revenue will Manchester United make?

Tuesday’s announcement saw United revise their annual revenue forecast. Initial projections put the club’s annual revenue and between £590m and £610; Tuesday’s revision has increased the projection to between £630m and £640m.

The club’s previous best is £627.1m, which was recorded in 2019. The latest increase has been fuelled by stronger matchday and commercial revenue. With a 146,000-person waiting list for a season ticket there is little evidence that the club’s commercial strength will diminish anytime soon.

Manchester United will return to the Champions League for 2023/24 after a successful season under the guidance of head coach Erik ten Hag. However there are still accusations that the club’s owners prioritise financial profitability over success on the pitch.

Man Utd fan group The 1958 stage protest

The Tuesday protest was the latest in a long-running series of public demonstrations against the club’s owners. The anti-Glazer sentiment has been growing amongst the club’s supporters in recent years, amplified by frustrations about the ongoing sale procedure.

Last November the Glazers indicated that they were willing to sell the club but a deal has not yet been reached. Many fans are now sceptical about the Glazer’s willingness to sell their majority share.

With tensions running high The 1958 supporters group gathered at Old Trafford to block access to the megastore, a symbol of the commercial juggernaut that the club has become. Tuesday was also the day that the club launched their new home kit.

The 1958 wrote on Twitter: “Everyone has a part to play in this battle against Glazer. For you, for us, for each other.”