Ex-PL club CEO: New lenders could now ask more of Glazers & Ratcliffe after latest billion-pound news
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(Credit: Imago) Man United: Potential new lenders may now ask more of Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe Thu 19 March 2026 7:15, UK Manchester United’s increasing debt could become a major problem in the club’s stadium project plans.That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will now have to contribute more of their own money into the project.The Premier League club recorded a debt of £1.3billion in their latest financial accounts, despite an operating profit of £32.6million.Man United’s new stadium could cost £2bn, with plans for the ground to hold up to £100,000 spectators and be ready to stage matches by 2030.Credit: Imago 💰 Man United Finance Update 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, Ineos investment, and the latest Old Trafford redevelopment news. VISIT THE FINANCE HUBDebt is ‘big issue’ in Man United stadium projectEverton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks financing the stadium plan may now be a problem for Man United.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the club are facing some major issues that have yet to be resolved.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think the debt is a big, big issue for them. And I know that when we talked about when the announcement was made, we talked about the whole project and we signalled very clearly that there were some big issues yet to be resolved.
“I thought financing wouldn’t be a problem, but as the debt increased, I think it might become a bit of an issue and the people, potential new lenders who would normally go into these sorts of things might be looking for the Glazers and Ratcliffe to contribute a lot more of their own cash than they would have done initially. “If that debt had been more sustainable, then there would have been more headroom for lending, but as it is, it’s getting pretty tight, and they’re drawing down on their present facilities and so there isn’t the headroom that they used to be.” Unai Emery to Man United verdict madeFormer chief scout at Old Trafford Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man United are unlikely to consider Unai Emery to become their next permanent manager.Emery has enjoyed a successful spell at Aston Villa, but doubts have been raised about whether his playing style would be suitable for Man United.Michael Carrick remains the strong favourite for the job, and Emery will not doubt have opportunities if he was to leave Aston Villa.