The change, first reported by the Telegraph, was introduced by Ineos in late 2023 in an effort to regain control of what was then the Premier League's highest wage bill, ending a system in which every player's salary rose by 25 per cent automatically whenever United qualified for the Champions League.
Under the revised structure, only players who log at least 60 per cent of a squad's competitive minutes across a campaign now qualify for the pay rise, rather than the increase applying universally regardless of game time.
The distinction has proved significant this summer. Marcus Rashford, who signed his current deal in 2023 before the policy changed, has seen his weekly wage rise by around 25 per cent to a reported £325,000 despite spending last season on loan at Barcelona and making no appearances for United, since his contract predates the new rule.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana finds himself in an identical position, receiving the automatic increase despite spending the season on loan at Trabzonspor without playing any part in United's Champions League qualification. Joshua Zirkzee, by contrast, signed under the new system when he joined from Bologna in 2024, and fell short of the 60 per cent threshold last season; his wages will therefore remain frozen at a reported £105,000 a week, a detail that works in United's favour given his consistent links with a move to Juventus this summer.
The saga underlines the lingering financial legacy Manchester United are still navigating this summer, even as the club moves to prevent future stand-offs of the kind that made Rashford increasingly difficult to move on.
Whereas players once benefited from a salary jump the moment Champions League qualification was secured, those operating under the new policy now have to earn it through minutes on the pitch.