'Question mark' over Man United cash flow after Carlos Baleba pursuit ended - finance expert
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Ben Palmer
Wed 27 August 2025 12:00, UK
Man United will need to be wary of their cash flow before they sanction any more expensive signings this summer.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that Man United’s deal to sign Matheus Cunha highlighted the potential financial issue that Ruben Amorim‘s side could be facing.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder joined for £62.5million this summer from Wolves, but the Red Devils’ first approach was rejected, as they wanted to pay the fee over five years [BBC Sport].
Instead, the 20-time champions of England will pay the full figure in three instalments over two years.
Plumley previously told Football Insider that Man United will be limited on how much more they can spend after the £200m [transfermarkt] outlay that has brought Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo to Old Trafford will have an impact on their calculations.
And whilst Amorim is keen to make more additions to his side before the transfer window closes on 1 September, the Red Devils are facing financial limitations that could impede that.
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
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Carlos Baleba was a target for Man United, but with the transfer window nearing its end, Brighton were unwilling to sanction the midfielder’s exit.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that the Red Devils may still pursue a deal for the Cameroon international in the future, but they need to be considerate of their cash flow this summer.
“Clubs are still going to be looking at PSR until those regulations change, which might happen in the future.
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“Until then, it’s still going to be one that clubs are wary of, and we did see that with United trying to structure that deal [Matheus Cunha’s transfer from Wolves] over a five-year instalment.
“That’s all about managing cash flow, and also managing the amortisation, and things like that, it’s all about the bottom line.
“It was not too much of an issue that it didn’t work out in their favour, but if you were going to throw in another £100 million player on top of that, then you are looking into your cash flow as the main thing to drive that, so it does put a bit of a question mark over that.
“If it is that kind of fee for Baleba, then it’s probably not gonna happen this summer; it’s probably one for further down the line if they’re still keen.”
In a bid to solve any potential cash flow or PSR issues, the Red Devils could be inclined to sell some of their bigger-name players.
Kobbie Mainoo may be tempted to leave Man United this summer, the club’s former chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively.
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The young midfielder’s departure would likely come with a significant fee, and could suit all parties.
Mainoo does not appear to feature in Amorim’s plans, as the 20-year-old has not played for the club since appearing for 45 minutes against Aston Villa in the final game of last season.