United's record losses

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering United’s record losses, Pochettino’s USMNT appointment and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

STATS

Liverpool’s strong start. The Reds are the only side in the Premier League with three clean sheets this season, while their neighbours Everton have conceded 10 already. Surprising possession. Spurs top the chart for the average share of possession at 69.1%, and Southampton (68.1%) are second, even above Manchester City. Newcastle ‘overperform’. The Magpies have accumulated seven points from three games, when Opta’s expected points model suggested they should have 3.1.

Plus…

• Premier League fixture difficulty over the next four games (More)

• Arsenal’s Ben White has asked not be contacted by England (More)

• Paul Pogba’s brother and five others to stand trial in extortion case (More)

• John Textor provides an update on his pursuit of Everton (More)

• Chelsea Women appoint the Athletic’s GM as new CEO (More)

• Harvey Elliot out until late October (More); Nathan Ake forced off with injury on Netherlands duty (More)

• Chelsea’s Fernandez handed 6-month driving ban (More)

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United record £113mn net loss, but will avoid PSR breach

Manchester United posted a net loss of £113mn during the 2023-24 season despite earning record revenue, the club’s full-year accounts revealed. It follows losses of £28.7mn in 2022-23 and £115.5mn in 2021-22, and their latest figures take total losses over the past five years to over £370mm.

Under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), clubs can incur a loss of no more than £105mn over a three-year period. While it’s common for top flight clubs to operate at a loss, United’s losses over this period are exceptional and well above the PSR limits.

But, despite the results, the Red Devils aren’t expected to breach PSR. That’s because the accounts that United published yesterday differ from those assessed by the Premier League. In other words, some of the club's spending – including investment in new facilities, academy development and the women’s team – is not included in the PSR calculations. It’s written off. Wiped away. Gone.

POLL

HEAD START

🤕 Odegaard injury update. Martin Odegaard is likely to be out of action for the next three weeks, according to Norway’s team doctor. The Arsenal captain has avoided a serious ankle fracture which would have kept it out for much longer. Odegaard will not be available for the North London Derby, the Champions League fixture against Atalanta and domestic matches against Manchester City and Leicester City.

📺 WSL move to YouTube. Moving the top two divisions of women’s football to YouTube will grow the game’s reach, says CEO Nikki Doucet. All non-televised WSL matches and select Championship games will now be available to watch on the platform for free. But the WSL has been blocked from showing games during the 3 PM Saturday blackout.

🤔 Porto launch transparency portal. The Portuguese side has introduced a portal for fans which publishes information on the club. The phone app will reveal player transfer costs, agents and their commissions, financial reports and more. Porto says it aims to set the standard for transparency and access to information for football fans.

NEW ERA FOR U.S. SOCCER

Pochettino named USMNT head coach

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed the new head coach of the United States men's national team. He will earn about £4.6mn a year and lead the team into the 2026 World Cup on home soil, Canada and Mexico. The news has been welcomed in America, and the fact he’s a Spanish speaker makes him particularly popular amongst the country’s Latino population.

Since July, US sporting director Matt Crocker has been courting the former Chelsea boss. In a meeting room in Barcelona, Crocker laid out the project to Pochettino, highlighting the good and the bad. He outlined the national team’s failure at the recent Copa America, as well as the ‘golden generation’ of US players that were struggling to get regular minutes at their respective clubs. During this time, multiple meetings were set up with Jurgen Klopp but he eventually turned the offer away.

Strapped for cash as a non-profit organisation, the US national team relied on donations from billionaire Ken Griffin – and others – to help offer the Argentine coach a competitive salary. Pochettino will be unveiled later this week, and the hope is that he can be for the US men what Emma Hayes has been for the US women - just with a much harder task at hand.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🌎 World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil suffer its fourth defeat in five qualifying games, while Argentina loss 2-1 to Colombia (More)

🇧🇷 Brazil: Former Manchester United midfielder Anderson sentenced to prison for non-payment of child support (More / in Portuguese)

🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna will be sidelined for a few weeks as he’s suffering a groin injury (More)

🇪🇸 La Liga: The Spanish top tier and China Media Group have signed an agreement to show their matches for free in China (More / in Spanish)

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Return to domestic action. The Premier League restarts on Saturday with Southampton vs Manchester United in the early kick-off slot. The North London Derby is on Sunday at 14:00 UK time and is the highlight fixture. League leaders, Manchester City and Liverpool will take on Brentford and Nottingham Forest, respectively. See the full fixture list here.

Women’s Super League starts. It’s not long until the 2024-25 Women’s Super League restarts. September 20 to be exact, where reigning champions Chelsea face Aston Villa at home. See the opening weekend fixtures here.

Another international break. Yes, that’s right. Just as you thought it was over, we’re sorry to break the news that there’s another international break on the horizon - starting October 6. The second set of Nations League games will be as much of a nail-biter for domestic coaches as the one that’s just passed. If you want to know the fixture list - we’re not judging, promise - find it here.

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Should football clubs go public on the stock market?

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ 💼 Yes, it could bring more investment and transparency. (32.5%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 ⚽ No, clubs should focus on football, not profits. (37.5%)

🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ 🤔 It depends on how it’s managed and who’s in control. (30%)

Your punditry takes:

• ⚽ K.T: “I appreciate creating a sustainable club is important, but nothing matters more than the football on the pitch. I like the Bundesliga 50% + 1 model so that majority ownership stays with the members’ associations - only then can you ensure decisions are made for the fans.”

• 🤔 C.V: “Some clubs already do that like Borussia because they are run by Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co KGaA. Real Madrid releases their number and finances every year because they are a Sociedad Deportiva with less scrutiny than Borussia because they are in the stock market. The problem for the fans is clubs like Inter or Chelsea. 0 transparency in the financial situation.”

• 🤔 S.M: “If the Football Club does go public and the fans are offered shares then the Club have to ensure they invite several supporters into financial decisions at the board level.”

EXTRA TIME

Why Trent Alexander-Arnold has ended his relationship with model Iris Law.

Out-of-work managers looking for a job.

Barnet manager tells fans to stop moaning in shocking rant.

Real Betis’ incredible ‘Office’ style player announcement.

When Cesc Fabregas threw a pizza slice at Sir Alex Ferguson’s head.

Thierry Henry reveals his most iconic goal.

Emiliano Martinez slaps the camera away after loss.

Mbappe super fan meets his idol, but is blindfolded.

Carlo Ancelotti’s advice for Paul Lambert after he was sacked.

Ten new signings who could make their debut in Matchweek 4.

GAME FACE ON

Question: ​​Only six Premier League managers have won their first four league games in charge. Arne Slot could become the seventh, but who is the most recent example of a manager doing this?

Clue: He’s coached at Napoli and Juventus.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

EFL League Two

• Harrogate vs Doncaster (20:00)

*All times UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Maurizio Sarri, who won his first five Premier League games in charge at Chelsea in 2018-19.