Manchester United may have been crowned champions again this season, however it has come at a cost, as their huge wage bill shows.
By Adrian Collins
Although Manchester United have lifted the Premier League title for the 20th time this season and have managed to leapfrog their neighbours Manchester City in the league, they now also outspend them when it comes to wages.
Both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie hoover up a sizeable chunk of the wage bill, as they earn €296,000 a week each, and overall the Manchester club are spending €237 million on wages each year.
Manchester City, often quoted when the discussions about ridiculous wages starts, spent €238 million after tax last year, but have offloaded some of their highest earners in Mario Balotelli, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nigel de Jong, which will be the first of many changes to the wage structure, according to Goal.com.
According to reports, the Red Devils will now be looking to make similar cuts, which will start this summer when they offer Wayne Rooney a reduced deal.