Manchester United Knocked Out of Cup by Team With $2.6 Million Payroll

Though Manchester United has fallen on hard times in recent years, they’re still a financial Goliath, regularly ranking among the most valuable sports teams in the world.

On Wednesday, they lost to David.

United was eliminated in the second round of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town, which plays in League Two, the fourth tier of English soccer.

Grimsby beat United 12–11 in a penalty shootout after the teams drew 2–2 in regulation.

The Premier League team is worth $6.6 billion, according to Forbes, which makes it the second-most valuable club in the world, slightly trailing Real Madrid’s valuation of $6.75 billion. United’s payroll for the 2025–26 season is roughly $246 million, according to Capology. 

Grimsby Town’s books are slightly different. 

Wednesday’s victors are paying its team roughly 100 times less than United’s at $2.6 million, according to Capology. United has more than 20 players on its payroll making more than Grimsby’s entire salary. The average player on United’s roster makes $7 million a year.

The loss shines a bright spotlight on United manager Ruben Amorim, who has struggled since taking over the team last November. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last year, its worst season in decades, and is off to a slow start this season with a loss to Arsenal and draw with Fulham. 

The team spent more than 200 million pounds ($270 million) in transfer fees over the summer, headlined by the $89 million acquisition of Benjamin Sesko. 

Despite its valuation and successful history, United has operated in the red for six straight seasons and has laid off hundreds of staffers over the past year to save money. Its financial forecast doesn’t bode well for this season either, due to the money the team will lose out on by not qualifying for the Champions League.