Today, while randomly doing a google search to find an up-to-date list of the highest payed players in world football, I inadvertently came across an article in BBC's Sport archives entitled "United's Wage Dilemma", dated July 11, 2000.The article basically emphasized the fact that Manchester United were finding it somewhat difficult to attract high profile players primarily due to the strict wage structure at the club. Alex Ferguson then at the time admitted that he wanted to sign top players such as the likes of a Luis Figo or Zinedine Zidane, but revealed however that his efforts were hampered by club policy.
The article continued to make the point that while football wages were spiraling out of control, the Old Trafford club was one of the few to keep in check with their increased turnover as the club had the lowest wage/turnover ratio at 33% at the time (up to this current season the club still maintains the lowest wage/turnover ratio in the Premier League at 46%). This was only a year after the Manchester United won the famous treble and during the period where Manchester United were virtually unstoppable in the Premier League. Interestingly also, this was five years before the Glazers purchased the club.
Ten years on, Ferguson continues to reiterate his opinion that the current transfer market is inflated and that the exorbitant wages being offered to players by rival clubs makes it difficult to secure financially sensible deals for top players. Currently, both Manchester City and Chelsea have wage bills that exceed United's and also a few of the most popular clubs outside England including Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan. Not only are wages spiraling out of control, but the transfer fees being payed for players in some instances are absolutely ridiculous.
As we are currently in the middle of the January transfer window, this article is a timely reminder that Manchester United continues to maintain a transfer/wage policy that has kept the club financially stable over the years; a policy which existed long before the Glazers acquired the cub; these are the facts people tend to forget.
It is also comforting to know that despite the fact that the club has to be servicing the debt brought on by the current owners, we can feel confident that Manchester United will be able to meet Uefa's proposed financial fair play rules which will come into effect season 2014-15.
Let the dilemma continue !
