The decline in their status, the true cost of Manchester United being eliminated from the Champions League

The Red Devils had an absolutely disastrous return to Europe's major competition £45 million in prize money and the absence of elite matches.

15/12/2023, 03:38 PM +00:00

Manchester United's two defining figures, Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, shared a disciplinary streak, a remarkable ability to adapt and a fierce fascination with continental competition. Manchester United had missed the sound of that familiar and exciting anthem, but just three months after returning to the Champions League, the Red Devils are already heading for the exit door.

After a series of matches that have been very entertaining for neutrals but unbearable for fans, Erik ten Hag's team needed a miracle on Tuesday to stay in the competition. Instead, they barely managed to do anything against Bayern Munich and have finished in last place in Group A, below Copenhagen and Galatasaray, even without being able to fall into the Europa League.

United have only themselves to blame after winning just one of their six matches and conceding a remarkable total of 15 goals in the process, the worst defensive record in the competition alongside Royal Antwerp. In addition to hurting their pride and prestige, the elimination is a huge financial blow for United. GOAL tells the true cost of the Red Devils' embarrassing early exit.

United are bracing for an initial hit of €9.6m in prize money for failing to progress to the last 16 and will have to forgo the other bonuses that come with advancing through the competition €10.6 million for reaching the quarter-finals, €12.5 million for the semi-finals, €15.5 million for being runners-up and €20 million for winning the competition.

Millions you won't earn

That's a maximum of €52.7m, even if Ten Hag's chaotic team were highly unlikely to win the Champions League. But they reached the quarter-finals in both 2014 and 2019, so a more realistic figure of €20.2m could have been on the cards. In other words, enough to buy a Manuel Akanji or a Tyrell Malacia. Even United don't have the Europa League money to soften the blow. They will lose €500,000 for reaching the playoff round and a potential total of €18 million for winning the competition.