Manchester United to be handed £2.5m boost thanks to Leeds United

Manchester United fans might have been quite happy to see Leeds United and Burnley seal their returns to the Premier League over the Easter weekend. Leeds celebrated their return to the top-flight after a 6-0 victory over Stoke, while Burnley claimed their place with a 2-1 win against Sheffield United.

The two northern clubs will now battle one another for the Championship title across the final two matches, and they can both look forward to Old Trafford trips next season. Even though they are fierce rivals, United supporters will look forward to the chance of beating Leeds, while a trip to Turf Moor is a good local away day.

There is also another reason to look forward to their two clubs respective returns to the top-flight: a £2.5 million financial boost that will be particularly beneficial to United, given the current financial restraints they have to operate under.

Manchester United set for financial boost

The news of Leeds United and Burnley returning to the Premier League is good news for Manchester United from a financial perspective, at the very least.

The two clubs were only recently relegated from the Premier League, which means they would both have been entitled to parachute payments again next season. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire estimates Leeds and Burnley would have been entitled to £51 million between them, but that prize money will now be divided equally between the current top-flight teams. Instead, that pot of money will be divided equally between the current top-flight teams, with United one of the clubs that will earn an extra £2.55 million.

In a social media post on X, Maguire wrote: “When Leicester & Southampton were relegated in 2022/23 and promoted the following season £102m in parachute payments were saved...these savings have been split between Premier League clubs. Should Burnley and Leeds be promoted today then a further £51m will be saved...this will also be divided between PL clubs. Instead of receiving parachute payments of £35m and £16m next season Burnley and Leeds will both be picking up £110m plus in the Premier League. The parachute payments not being paid out will be divided by the 20 PL clubs.”

There could even be a further boost for United if Sheffield United earn promotion via the play-offs. The Blades were only relegated from the Premier League a year ago and would also miss out on further parachute payments if they go on to win at Wembley next month. Sheffield United are guaranteed to finish third but have never been promoted through in nine play-off campaigns.

READ NEXT: Fabrizio Romano: Manchester United have 'good feelings' over second summer signing