Manchester United are facing a financial hit of up to £5 million as Marcus Rashford is set to benefit from a contract clause triggered by the club's return to the Champions League. The England international will receive an additional £4 million on top of his substantial wages, with two other players also entitled to similar windfalls under legacy contract terms.
Contract clause activated by Champions League return
The clause stems from contracts signed before Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival, which included an automatic 25 per cent wage increase upon securing Champions League football. This applied to the long-term deals signed by Mason Mount and Andre Onana in the summer of 2023, the same time Rashford penned a new five-year contract.
United's absence from European competition last season led to pay cuts, but the new campaign's Champions League participation has restored salaries. For Rashford and Mount, who remain at the club, the clause proves particularly beneficial.
New bonus structure for current deals
Current United contracts for first-team players still include potential salary increases, but they must be earned through playing in over 60 per cent of minutes in the preceding campaign—equivalent to just over 2,000 Premier League minutes. Rashford and Onana spent the season on loan, while Mount played just over half the required time, yet none of the trio need to worry about meeting these criteria for their bonuses.
Rashford, earning approximately £16 million per year, will receive the extra £4 million on top of his weekly wage. United are also obliged to pay Mount over £1 million annually, though Onana's wages are fully covered by Trabzonspor, avoiding a pay rise for him.
Transfer implications and financial strain
Both Rashford and Onana have been made available for permanent transfer, but United have struggled to sell them due to high wages and the bonus clauses. Despite Rashford's impressive loan at Barcelona, who opted against signing him permanently for financial reasons, United were eager to sell—though a significant U-turn now suggests he may stay at Old Trafford.
The unnecessary outlay is impacting United's summer plans, with deals for top targets deemed too expensive. The club managed clever deals for Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos but missed out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
