Manchester-United breaks Real Madrid financial record in Europe
A report by UEFA has revealed that Manchester United’s squad last year was the “most expensive ever assembled” in soccer history. UEFA’s European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report found that the players at Old Trafford at the end of the 2023 financial year had cost a grand total of €1.42 billion ($1.52bn) in transfer fees.
That broke the record previously held by Real Madrid, whose class of 2020 had cost €1.33bn. United’s pricy 2023 team – which finished third in the 2023/24 Premier League – included the likes of Antony, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Casemiro.
Those four players each cost United more than €80m. But UEFA’s valuation of United’s 2023 squad did not include Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount or Andre Onana.
That trio arrived in the summer of 2023 – after the end of the financial year – for a combined price in excess of €200m. According to UEFA’s report, three other clubs in 2023 had squads that had cost more than €1bn – Manchester City (€1.29bn), Chelsea (€1.08bn) and Real Madrid, (€1.03bn)
Top 10 most expensive squads in 2023
Manchester United, €1.42 billion
Manchester City, €1.29 billion
Chelsea, €1.08 billion
Real Madrid, €1.03 billion
Paris Saint-Germain, €938 million
Liverpool, €905 million
Arsenal, €890 million
Juventus, €769 million
Tottenham Hotspur, €666 million
Inter Milan, €589 million
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is taking care with the tutelage of young defensive star Willy Kambwala.
Willy Kambwala was handed a shock debut late last year for Manchester United amid a defensive injury crisis, but manager Erik ten Hag would not have thrown him in if he did not feel he was capable of stepping up.
The academy star has regularly been a part of matchday squads since, and has made four appearances in total now, three as a substitute.
A new injury to Lisandro Martinez has underlined Manchester United’s need for defensive depth, with Kambwala in the mix.
Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Kambwala gets an arm from Erik ten Hag
Willy Kambwala had a personal one on one chat with Erik ten Hag at training at Carrington, with the Dutchman taking care to impart some words of advice.
Kambwala, 19, signed for Manchester United from Sochaux in 2020, and struggled with injuries, which kept him out of the FA Youth Cup final in 2022.
He has now made up for lost time and is learning from the first team regulars, and recently named Nemanja Vidic as one of his inspirations.
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Kambwala came through the same Les Ulis academy as Patrice Evra too, and recently received some encouragement from the Champions League winning left-back.
Erik ten Hag is investing his time in Kambwala, who plays at a position where Manchester United need young talent, at centre-back.
Erik ten Hag gave Kobbie Mainoo personal encouragement
It is impossible not to draw parallels here with the scenes at the Carabao Cup final where Erik ten Hag sought out Kobbie Mainoo, who was not part of the matchday squad, put his arm around him and offered some words of encouragement and advice.
Mainoo had made his debut a month earlier, picked out by Ten Hag, who clearly had high hopes for him, evidenced by his usage this season.
Erik ten Hag speaking with 17-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after winning the Carabao Cup.
Coaching his players even after a cup final win ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Fu6khz9NEq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 26, 2023
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Willy Kambwala is at a similar stage of his development, recently handed a debut, on the fringes, and hoping to make the jump to become a regular in the future.
It’s a big ask for him to make the leap at Manchester United, but if Ten Hag feels strongly enough, he will make plans to use him, he has shown this with Kobbie Mainoo.
The arm around the shoulder and personal touch is a sign he cares. Kambwala has a real chance to be United’s next regular call-up after Mainoo, who followed Alejandro Garnacho a year earlier.
The manager is investing his time in him, now it is up to Kambwala to seize his opportunities, and follow his advice and instructions.
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