Ed Woodward’s salary revealed in Manchester United’s latest financial accounts

Woodward is Premier League’s highest-paid director, earning more than Tottenham’s Daniel Levy

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward (Getty Images)

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward earned £3.09m during the 2019-20 season according to the club's latest annual financial accounts, making him the highest-paid director in the Premier League.

Woodward’s salary was down from £3.16m the previous year but still more than the highest-paid executive at any other top-flight club which lists director salaries.

Daniel Levy is the league's second-highest paid director, earning £2.96m at Tottenham Hotspur last season after taking home £7m the previous year. Manchester City do not list the earnings of their highest-paid executive.

United’s board of directors - which includes legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Woodward’s predecessor David Gill and members of the Glazer family ownership - earned a total of £6.78m.

The club’s overall wage bill fell from £287.4m to £242.5m last season, which was predominantly due to the playing squad receiving no bonuses for participating in the Champions League and the departure of high-earners such as Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.

United’s 2019-20 wage bill was lower than the most recent figures for rivals City and Liverpool, whose spending on salaries stood at £276.9m and £276.2m respectively during the 2018-19 season.

United’s revenues for last season were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the suspension of football last spring and the subsequent restrictions on supporters attending games at Old Trafford.

Total revenue fell to £487.5m - down from £601.9m the previous season - with rebates paid to broadcasting companies following the disruption to last season also taking a toll.

The effect of the pandemic contributed to United making a pre-tax loss of £17.7m during the 2019-20 season, compared to a profit of £28.3m the previous year.

United nevertheless won praise for their response to the pandemic, offering refunds to season ticket holders, continuing to pay casual staff, donating medical supplies to the NHS and delivering food parcel to the local community.

On-the-pitch, the 2019-20 season was ultimately a successful one, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer guiding his side to a top-four finish and Champions League qualification despite a poor start.

United were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages last month but are currently level on points with leaders Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand, hoping to mount a serious title challenge.