Man Utd star blocked from receiving lucrative Champions League bonus due to little-known clause

A Manchester United player is set to miss out on a lucrative bonus due to a little-known contract clause.

Due to the side finishing third in the Premier League last term, United qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League.

Not only will Michael Carrick’s side be able to test themselves against Europe’s elite next term, but they will also be paid more for their efforts.

This is linked to a clause inserted into players’ contracts stating that their wages would increase by 25 per cent after Champions League qualification.

Despite not playing for the club since December 2024, having been loaned to both Aston Villa and Barcelona, Marcus Rashford’s wage will increase by 25 per cent to more than £300,000 per week, an increase of £4million per year, according to The Telegraph.

Rashford last penned a new deal in 2023 before United made changes to their wage structure.

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Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who spent last season on loan at Turkey’s Trabzonspor, is also in line to receive the 25 per cent pay rise, with Mason Mount also seeing his salary increase in line with the previous wage system.

However, Joshua Zirkzee will not be so lucky, with his wage set to stay at a reported £105,000 per week.

The Netherlands international arrived at United in 2024 under the current wage system, which stipulates that a player must play at least 60 per cent of the minutes in the previous season in order to benefit from a Champions League qualification wage boost.

Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a move this summer, with the former Bologna man of interest to Serie A giants Juventus.

Currently injured, Manuel Ugarte will also miss out on the bonus, while FIFA covers 80 per cent of his £150,000 salary under the club protection programme due to the Uruguayan sustaining a knee injury during the World Cup.

United have already managed to shift Casemiro’s reported £350,000-per-week wage off the books, with the Brazilian’s contract expiring back in June.

Rashford remains United’s highest-paid player alongside captain Bruno Fernandes on £300,000 per week.

Benjamin Sesko receives £200,000 per week, with Matthijs de Ligt on £195,000 and Matheus Cunha on £180,000.

Manchester United 2026/27 wages

Marcus Rashford – £300,000 p/w

Bruno Fernandes – £300,000 p/w

Benjamin Šeško – £200,000 p/w

Matthijs de Ligt – £195,000 p/w

Harry Maguire – £190,000 p/w

Matheus Cunha – £180,000 p/w

Mason Mount – £150,000 p/w

Luke Shaw – £150,000 p/w

Bryan Mbeumo – £150,000 p/w

Lisandro Martínez – £140,000 p/w

André Onana – £120,000 p/w

Amad Diallo – £120,000 p/w

Noussair Mazraoui – £120,000 p/w

Joshua Zirkzee – £105,000 p/w

Patrick Dorgu – £100,000 p/w

Leny Yoro – £100,000 p/w

Manuel Ugarte – £95,000 p/w

Diogo Dalot – £85,000 p/w

Kobbie Mainoo – £80,000 p/w

Ayden Heaven – £60,000 p/w

(Figures according to Capology)