Why Euro place will cost Reds £4.2m

UNITED will have to make an additional transfer payment to Sporting Lisbon after they qualified for next season’s Champions League.

United secured a third-place finish in the Premier League over the weekend thanks to a vital win on the final day of the season against Leicester City.

Bruno Fernandes continued his resurgence at United by converting a crucial penalty in the second-half, before Jesse Lingard doubled the lead deep into injury time to wrap up all three points.

United performed remarkably to salvage their season after a poor start with the January arrival of Fernandes proving to be a key turning point in saving the campaign.

However, such was the Portugal midfielder’s success that United’s qualification will now come at an extra price with Sporting Lisbon owed roughly £4.2m.

United paid Sporting £46.5m upfront to sign Fernandes on a five-and-a-half year contract with the option of an additional year during the January transfer window, with a number of performance related add-ons which could take the deal up to £67.3m.

As part of the deal United agreed to pay Sporting Lisbon an additional £4.2m if they qualified for the Champions League and the same fee again when he reaches an appearance milestone at the club.

Qualification for the Champions League was worth £23m in Adidas sponsorship money to United, so the club will have few gripes with having to pay Sporting an additional fee.