Amid $1 billion debt, Manchester United sell pieces of Old Trafford's turf

Manchester United, grappling with a £1 billion (£4.85 billion) debt, have resorted to selling pieces of Old Trafford's pitch as a means to raise funds. The initiative was launched as the club reported its overall debt still exceeding the £1 billion mark. The first batch of pitch mementos has already sold out, according to the club.

Each piece of turf, measuring 7x7cm, is encased in a glass cube and housed within a black case. United claims the item provides fans with a "priceless memento" of significant games played at Old Trafford. While such sales are commonplace among European clubs, the move comes at a challenging period for the 13-time Premier League champions.

Manchester United, despite achieving record revenue of £677.6 million (£3.29 billion) and an operating profit of £22.6 million (£109.8 million) for the 2025-26 season, still posted a pre-tax loss of £43 million (£208.91 million). The club also spent £63.5 million (£308.51 million) to acquire land for their planned new stadium, with the total project expected to surpass £2 billion (£9.71 billion).

To preserve Old Trafford's history, sections of the turf were preserved before being transformed into limited-edition mementos. This move is seen as a way for United to offer supporters a tangible piece of Old Trafford history as the club navigates significant change. The team currently sits in 12th place in the Premier League following a recent run of inconsistent performances, having won only one of their last five matches.

United will face Tottenham Hotspur on October 10 following the international break, as they look to bounce back under coach Michael Carrick.