Stefan Borson: Man United fall behind Liverpool after dramatic twist

Man United owners INEOS have implemented cost-cutting measures which will see their wage bill drop to the level of Arsenal or Tottenham.

That is the view of former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that United will no longer have an outlay comparable with Liverpool or Man City – a measure he described as “very sensible”.

At least two huge earners will be leaving Man United this summer, with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial already confirming their exits when their contracts end later this month.

As revealed in their latest accounts, United paid £331.4million in wages in the 2022-23 campaign – a reduction of £52.8million on the previous season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS completed a 25% purchase of the club earlier this year and have already started implementing further cost-cutting measures.

Staff have been offered redundancy and have also been forced to return to the club’s offices rather than work from home.

Man United to fall behind Man City and Liverpool after Ratcliffe arrival, says Borson

However, Borson claimed the decision to keep Erik ten Hag in his job as manager will have been a footballing decision rather than a cost-cutting measure.

He told Football Insider: “I think we are seeing, generally, United moving into a more cost-conscious environment.

“That’s not just on the playing staff. We’ve seen them offer redundancy to a whole host of staff, they want them back in the office.

“They’re already bringing their wage bill down, from a first-team perspective to a level which is comparable with Arsenal or Spurs rather than Liverpool and City.

“I think part of INEOS’ approach is going to be down the private equity route of trying to control your costs, which is very sensible.

“So few people have managed to do it in a football environment.

“I suspect the Ten Hag decision came because they weren’t sufficiently impressed with the other options to take the hit of sacking Ten Hag after winning the FA Cup.

“I suspect the cost-saving element probably put people off, rather than being the key driver behind keeping Ten Hag.”

In other news, Man United to announce defender deal soon.

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The post Stefan Borson: Man United fall behind Liverpool after dramatic twist appeared first on Football Insider.