Manchester United are reportedly spearheading opposition against any proposal to introduce a hard salary cap in the Premier League.
The Times report that the new football structure at United led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to launch a spirited resistance against the “anchoring” model as they believe it would place England’s top flight at a huge disadvantage in comparison to the rest of the European leagues.
The newspaper relays, “Manchester United will strongly oppose moves to introduce the first hard salary cap to the Premier League when new cost controls are raised at the top flight’s annual meeting.”
“The proposed cap — called “anchoring” — would mean the top teams could spend only a proportion of the amount the league’s bottom club receives in TV money, perhaps 4½ or five times that sum, on transfers, wages and agents.”
Martyn Ziegler adds, “It is not clear what the limit would be, but official figures for last season show the bottom club — Southampton — were paid £103.6million in TV money. The club with the highest wage bill that season was Manchester City, with £422.9million, more than four times as much.”
It’s understood that United believe a hard salary cap would make it difficult for English clubs to effectively compete with other elite clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, just to mention two examples.
This is because the best and biggest football players are only likely to join clubs that can pay them what they’re worth. The anchoring model would for example, prevent Premier League teams from landing these stars, who of course help to make England’s first division the most appealing and lucrative football league in the world.
United are not the only party against a hard salary cap. Manchester City, who have players such as Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne on their payroll, are also reluctant to see its introduction get over the line.
The Premier League already agreed to replace its Profitability and Sustainability Rules from the beginning of the 2025/2026 season. These regulations limit clubs to spending 85% of their total revenue on wages, transfer fees and agent commissions.
The Times however note that a section of club chairmen still want more controls implemented in an effort to enhance competition and bridge the existing gap between the elite teams which regularly participate in the Champions League and the other clubs.
There are also concerns that state-backed clubs like Man City and Newcastle retain an unfair advantage, and mechanisms should be in place to tame this.
The salary cap issue will be deliberated at length during the Premier League’s annual meeting in June. Greater clarity will likely be provided then.
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