Manchester United had the highest wage bill in the Premier League for the 2021-22 season, it has been revealed.
As reported by Football Insider, United are the highest contributors to the staggering wages paid to Premier League players across the division.
United’s wage bill rounds up to an eye-watering £385 million, the highest ever total recorded by a single club in the league.
The wage bill across the twenty teams in Premier League totaled a whopping £3.5 billion, up 4% on the previous season’s total, which is again a league high.
Despite the overall rise in wages, twelve out of the 20 teams did post decreases in their figures, showing positive signs in the battle to control inflated contracts.
United’s wage bill rose by £61.6 million, which shot them past Manchester City’s figures from the previous season, putting them top of the list.
The irony of the United topping the list of wages was the disastrous campaign the club suffered, finishing sixth in a season to forget for the club.
The staggering wage bill at the club blew up due to the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
Ronaldo has since left the club and in turn will have brought the figure down considerably, as has Edinson Cavani, who was also a big contributor to the huge numbers.
Additionally, David de Gea is reportedly close to agreeing a cut in wages to agree a contract extension in Manchester which will also help the bottom line, as he has been earning £375,000-a-week on his current deal.
United are attempting to bring in a wage cap of £200,000 per week for all players at the club but this is subject to change should new owners gain control at Old Trafford.
The upcoming transfer market is expected to be a busy one for United’s hierarchy, with Erik ten Hag looking to add more quality to his ranks with the expectation of mounting a serious title charge next season.
But whilst it’s essential United get quality through the door, Ten Hag is looking for players whose desire and commitment to play for the biggest club in the world outweighs the extra financial gain that may come with it.