Man United’s financial revival, cost-cutting and ownership controversies off the pitch

Manchester United have reported a £32.6m first-half profit after years of losses, driven largely by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting programme, even as overall debt remains high and commercial revenues dip. New CEO Omar Berrada hails an off-pitch transformation, with the club avoiding a Premier League PSR breach and positioning for a potentially big-spending summer while analysts pore over the share price, wage bill and reliance on Champions League income. At the same time, Ratcliffe’s inflammatory immigration comments, widespread job cuts and talk of a huge £750m sponsorship deal have intensified political, ethical and fan scrutiny of United’s billionaire ownership model.