Why Manchester United voted against Premier League spending cap because profit and sustainability rules would be banned

Manchester United voted against imposing a spending limit on the Premier League, talkSPORT understands.

The clubs have agreed in principle introduce the cap, known as 'anchoring', for the start of the 2025/26 season as part of the renewal of the current Profit and Sustainability rules.

If formally approved at the Premier League's Annual General Meeting in June, clubs will be limited to spending a ratio of between 4.5 and 5 times the amount the bottom club earns from commercial and television revenue on its playing equipment.

United They were one of three clubs to vote against the proposal along with champions Manchester City and Aston Villa, while Chelsea abstained from the vote.

United are believed to feel it is unfair that they are penalized for self-generating large revenues during their period of Premier League dominance.

They and City are also concerned that the new measures, designed to level up competition within the Premier League, could undermine the competitiveness of the competition's top clubs against major European peers such as Real Madrid.

Based on last season's figures, a cap of five times the £103.6m earned by bottom club Southampton would have seen spending capped at £518m, putting Chelsea over the threshold.

For the cap to be ratified, 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs would need to approve it, with a meeting thought to be held in June to discuss specific details.

The change would limit clubs from spending excessive fees on transfers and agents, as well as wages.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told talkSPORT that he believes these potential new rules will affect the summer transfer window: “I think it is more likely that the old rules will affect the summer transfer market until they are confirm summer of the 24th.

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“There will be a lot of coming and going before June 30, especially for those clubs that are in a difficult situation when it comes to compliance with the rules. But once this is over, I think we will be back at full steam.”

“The Premier League is incredibly successful and clubs want to be in it and move up the Premier League because every extra place is worth another £3.5m.”

United have been the third biggest spenders in the Premier League over the last ten seasons, spending around £1.5bn.

Seven of their record ten arrivals have come in the last five years, with notable acquisitions including Harry Maguire and Antony.