Manchester United wages: Who is the best paid player at the Red Devils and everything you need to know about Man Utd's salary bill

Andre Onana was signed in 2023 from Ajax as the long-term successor to David de Gea and immediately became the club's highest-paid custodian. Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was also brought in during the same transfer window. Meanwhile, 38-year-old Tom Heaton, who is in the final year of his contract, earns less than Onana, but still more than Bayindir.

Matthijs de Ligt is United's best-paid defender, and the only one to earn over £10 million annually. Following him on the list are England internationals Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

On the other hand, Leny Yoro is surprisingly high up the list of the highest-earning defenders at United, given that he was only signed last summer and turned 19 in November.

Understandably, veteran centre-back Jonny Evans is the lowest-paid defender on the Red Devils payroll.

The United faithful may feel uneasy upon discovering that Casemiro is actually the club's highest-paid player, not just the highest-paid midfielder, earning over £18m annually. Next in line is captain Bruno Fernandes, with United fans hoping he will remain at the club for the long term.

Arguably, two players who are not being compensated in line with their performances are Mason Mount, the third-highest earning midfielder, and Kobbie Mainoo, who ranks third from the bottom on the pay list as far as midfielders are concerned.

After putting pen to paper on a new deal in 2023, Rashford became the joint-second highest earning member of the squad, and the highest-paid forward.

Behind him is Antony, the other forward besides Rashford to earn in double digits every year. However, it would be fair to say that he has justified neither his price tag nor his wages two-an-a-half seasons after arriving from the Eredivisie.

Strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund are next on the list of the best-paid forwards, with the list rounded out by young sensations Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.

It’s likely clear to the reader by now, but the above lists confirm that Casemiro is by far the highest-paid player in the United squad, with captain Fernandes and homegrown star Rashford next in line.

Mount and Antony secure the last two positions in the top five.

If we don't count Gore and Collyer, who are yet to be properly promoted to the first team, Mainoo sits at the bottom of the earning list in the United squad. Surprising, isn't it?

Well, the surprises don't stop there, as Diallo, probably the most in-form Red Devil at the moment, also makes his way in the lowest-paid list.

So, what does this mean for the bigger picture? In which area of the pitch is Manchester United investing the most, and how much do they spend annually on first-team salaries?

The largest expenditure for the club is on the defence, with a total of £65m allocated to this area.