Manchester United should be benefitting from Financial Fair Play in transfer market not worrying

The idea of financial fair play rules in European football has long been a dividing subject in the game, roughly split into a couple of camps: Those who think spending had to be reeled in and those who believe the regulations were only introduced to protect the cartel at the top of the game.

It should certainly have made it harder for Manchester City to climb to the very top and the latest measures are making life a little more difficult for Newcastle since they were taken over by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). But it's hard to disagree that something seems a little out of kilter when owners trying to throw money into a club are halted, while the Glazer family can pile debt onto United and never put a penny of their own money in without raising so much as an eyebrow at the headquarters of UEFA and the Premier League.

In introducing new cost control rules last April, UEFA pointed out the "extraordinary improvement" in the finances of clubs since financial regulations were first introduced in June 2010. The new measures involve a cap on losses over a three-year period and a squad cost rule that aims to restrict spending.

When it takes full effect in 2025/26 that will mean only 70% of revenue can be spent on player and coach wages, transfers, and agent fees. It's clearly a rule that will benefit the clubs at the very top of the food chain.

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Really, this should be an opportunity for United, rather than a threat. But in this transfer window, the club are telling intermediaries and other clubs that they are treading a fine line with FFP. The exact reason why, beyond using it as something of a negotiating tactic, is unclear.

The fact United owe