Ex-Man Utd youngster explains why a pro footballer's finances are 'a lot different' than fans realise

A former Manchester United defender has explained why the finances of a professional footballer are "a lot different than people realise" as he opened up on his experiences in the game.

Demetri Mitchell, who progressed through the ranks at United before making his senior debut on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign, has since played for Hearts, Blackpool and Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

The former England youth international currently plays for Exeter and has made 61 appearances for the League One club, although his days at St James Park are numbered, according to Football Insider, with Hungarian outfit MTK Budapest considering an offer.

Mitchell has been vocal about his career in the past, and in a recent podcast appearance, the 28-year-old gave an insight to the financial side of being a professional footballer.

"Footballers finances are a lot different than most people realise," he said on TikTok. "Here's an insight into why."

The former United full-back explained why there is a "big difference" between the career of a doctor, for example, and a lower league footballer.

"People have this thing about footballers being paid so well, and we are very fortunate," said Mitchell. "But there's a big difference between somebody earning two or three grand a week that's a professional footballer and somebody earning two or three grand a week that's a doctor.

"The difference is the doctor is guaranteed pretty much [that amount] until he's 65, whereas players in the EFL from League One downwards are on one or two-year contracts.

"Let's say you're getting three grand a week - you're getting taxed 45 per cent, and then you've got five percent agent fees. You've only seen half of that, so you've got £1,500 that you're getting in a week.

"Don't get me wrong it's a good amount of money, but when you've got a mortgage and a car, and then your missus can't work because she's living away from Manchester, your expenses are very high.

"So when that contract is finished – and you've got the expenses of four grand a month – you're in a bit of a pickle. You have to be careful with your money and your spending."

"It's not as lucrative and glamorous as it seems," added Mitchell. "You've got to think about life after football. It's not a career you're going to be in at 65 – it's a career that you're in for the next two years guaranteed if you're on a two-year contract."