Manchester United players reportedly do not have relegation-related clauses in their contracts, meaning their wages would remain unchanged if the club were relegated to the Championship.
United currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference. The club is still reeling from a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.
Carrick's future under scrutiny
Michael Carrick's future as United boss has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few weeks, particularly after the loss to Chelsea. For the time being, Carrick remains in charge and is expected to be in the dugout until at least the November international break.
United have managed only seven points from their opening nine Premier League matches, a run of form that leaves them just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland are only two points behind United following their defeat to Coventry City at the weekend.
Financial implications of relegation
According to The Sun, United players' wages would stay the same if the club were to go down to the Championship because relegation clauses are not in their contracts. Relegation would have huge financial ramifications for the club, especially with the wage bill remaining unchanged.
This could create a difficult scenario for United to pay the same wages to their current squad, given the reduced revenue that would result from being outside the Premier League. It would likely spark a fire sale, with high earners moving on to help balance the books, though United have plenty of time to avoid such a situation.
Champions League clauses and upcoming fixtures
United do have Champions League clauses in players' contracts, however, meaning if they fail to qualify for the tournament next season, wages will be slashed by 25 per cent. Player wages were recently increased by the same margin following their third-place finish last season.
United still have 29 matches left to play this season in the Premier League and will face Aston Villa at the weekend in their final fixture before the international break. That could prove to be Carrick's final match in charge if United are unable to record positive results this week.
