Manchester United take £22m hit from sacking of Ruben Amorim

On-pitch performance and cost-cutting help to halve pre-tax losses to £18m in the first nine months of the year

Manchester United have taken a £22m hit from the sacking of former manager Ruben Amorim but cut their losses in half thanks to improved performance on the pitch and the cost-cutting zeal of their co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United’s successful pursuit of Champions League football under Michael Carrick drove a 57% rise in broadcast income during the third quarter of the financial year to nearly £65m, as more of the club’s games were picked for TV.