6 months ago
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Manchester United face falling deeper into a Financial Fair Play hole if they decide to sack Erik ten Hag this summer.
The Dutchman is clinging onto his role at Old Trafford after a dismal second season at the club.
United finished bottom of their Champions League group and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle. They’re currently sixth in the Premier League, and are outsiders to qualify for the Champions League.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner, has privately expressed sympathy with Ten Hag for the difficulties he’s faced in his second season in charge.
Situations with Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho have distracted from on-field performances, while the squad has been depleted by injuries throughout the season.
United were prevented from signing a striker in January due to Financial Fair Play concerns, despite Anthony Martial being ruled out for up to three months.
But while there’s sympathy for Ten Hag among the board, INEOS will be ruthless in their bid to get United back to the top.
However, should they decide to sack Ten Hag, they will have to pay the Dutchman and his backroom staff a compensation fee of £10m.
Should he be sacked before June 30th, that fee would come in under the 2023/24 accounts, which would push United even closer to the Profit and Sustainability Rules limit.
Under that scenario, United would have to sell players to balance the books.
Mason Greenwood, Donny van de Beek, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all available this summer.
Martial and Raphael Varane will leave the club at the end of their deals.
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