MAN UNITED FINANCES: RECORD REVENUES BUT ANOTHER BIG LOSS AS CLUB COUNTS COST OF AMORIM FIRING

AC Milan's head coach Ruben Amorim holds the ball during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Lecce, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Manchester United made a loss of around $60 million despite record revenues in a season where the club paid nearly $10 million to fire another coach.

In its financial figures released Wednesday, United reported it earned $900 million in the fiscal year ending June 30 - slightly up from record sums the previous year - despite not playing in the Champions League.

The club´s revenue guidance for next year is up to $1 billion because the 20-time English champions are back playing in Europe´s top competition after a third-place finish in the Premier League. United began its Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Sabah from Azerbaijan, amid a poor start to the Premier League featuring just one win in five games.

Contributing to the losses were the costs associated with the departure of former coach Ruben Amorim, who was fired in January, and his staff.

It could have been more.

Manchester United's head coach Michael Carrick stands on the sidelines prior to the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester United in London, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

In February, United said in a financial filing that the cost of firing Amorim could reach more than $21 million but he has since taken a coaching job at AC Milan, saving United from paying more compensation.

United´s wage bill was about $400 million, down 3.6% on the previous year. The club attributed the drop to changes in the men´s first-team squad and cuts at the club over the last two years.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

RÚBEN AMORIM FACING DELAY WITH MAN UNITED - SOURCE

IMAGO/NurPHOTO

Rúben Amorim is facing a further delay before officially starting as Manchester United's new head coach as the club await confirmation of his visa, a source has told ESPN.

United announced Amorim as their new boss on Nov. 1 "subject to work visa requirements."

Amorim, 39, is set to arrive in Manchester on Monday, but a source has told ESPN he is still waiting for the official green light to start his employment. United are not expecting any issues with the paperwork.

However, until confirmation is received, Amorim cannot begin his official duties, including overseeing training sessions.

A number of players will not be at Carrington anyway after joining up with their national teams following the 3-0 win over Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday. Players not called up for international duty have been given time off.

Amorim's first game in charge will be against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Nov. 24.

The Portuguese coach will take over from caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has overseen a run of four games unbeaten. His interim spell ended with a comfortable win over Leicester, and afterwards, he revealed he is still waiting to hear whether he will be part of Amorim's backroom staff.

"I appreciated the clear communication of the club; it was an interim spell for a short term," Van Nistelrooy said. "It could have been one or two games -- they kept me in the loop -- it was four, and for me, it was important to have that clarity.

"For me, the most important thing is the football club, and I am here to support that and I want to continue that. The communication was that after the block of four there will be communication towards you and your colleagues."

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

OPINION: PAUL SCHOLES URGES RUUD VAN NILSTEROY TO LEAVE MAN UNITED AFTER MAKING AMAD CLAIM

Scholes has hailed both Amad and interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy following Manchester United's win over PAOK

Ruud van Nistelrooy has one game left as Manchester United interim boss (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images

Amad was the darling of Old Trafford on Thursday night after his match-winning double against PAOK belatedly kick-started Manchester United’s Europa League campaign.

His brace marked the first time the 22-year-old had scored twice in a senior United match, trebling his goal tally for the season in the process. Amad was starting his first game under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who manages United for the final time on Sunday.

Amad has put himself in contention to start the clash with Leicester City and has won the support of Paul Scholes to do just that. The United legend also urged Van Nistelrooy to consider his next role to be a main manager, despite being willing to stay on as an assistant coach to Ruben Amorim.

Scholes backs Van Nistelrooy for new job

Scholes has encouraged Van Nistelrooy to think about leaving Old Trafford after his interim spell to take up another job in management, believing that he is too good to be a mere assistant.

The Dutchman oversaw 50 matches at PSV Eindhoven in his first senior managerial position. He left the club in May 2023 citing a lack of support from the board as his reason.

He was brought back to United as an assistant by Erik ten Hag this summer. However, Scholes says he is at risk of wasting his talents.

“I think he should be a manager, he just looks like he is made to be a manager to me,” Scholes told TNT Sports. “I don't think he should be anybody's, not puppet, but I think he is better than an assistant manager.”

MEN Sport says:Van Nistelrooy has yet to be beaten as United interim boss in a streak that stretches to three games. Wins over Leicester in the League Cup and PAOK in Europe were expected but the draw with Chelsea was commendable.

The performances in each match have not exuded much encouragement but it is hard to disagree that Van Nistelrooy has the persona to be a head coach again elsewhere. His love for United is clear but it does seem a waste - for his sake - to not explore his scope as a manager after this experience.

Scholes: Amad must start vs Leicester

Scholes also believes Amad deserves to start Sunday’s clash with Leicester after his exciting display against PAOK. Both Marcus Rashford (four goals) and Alejandro Garnacho (five) have scored more than Amad this season, who has started just seven of United’s 16 games so far.

However, Scholes says the Ivorian’s display on Thursday should mean he is named in Sunday’s line-up, provided the issue that forced him off before full-time against PAOK is not serious.

Speaking just after the final whistle, Scholes stated: “We saw him get a little bit of a knock, I am sure he will be ready to play on Sunday and that performance warrants it.”

MEN Sport says:Amad is not the finished product but he always excites and is positive, which puts him on a better footing than some alternative wing options. He ranks second within Europe’s top five leagues for ball-progressing runs - i.e. positive forward play.

The youngster does deserve to start at the weekend due to his superb brace and would put himself in a great position for good first impressions under Amorim should he put in another tantalising outing having started a game - something not always seen in the past.

- The Manchester Evening News