Manchester United boast four of the highest-earning Premier League players - including three summer signings - according to a newly released list.
French publication L’Equipe (via Daily Mail ) have outlined the eye-watering sums players are reportedly commanding each year. It will be of little surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo comfortably tops the list, bringing in £26.4million a year which works out as £2.2m every month.
Ronaldo is United's top scorer this season with 18 goals and became football’s all-time top scorer with his hat-trick against Tottenham last time out. However, the 37-year-old has not always been named in Ralf Rangnick’s starting XI and has been subjected to criticism for a supposed negative influence on the squad.
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Second on the list is Manchester City 's Kevin De Bruyne who rakes in £20.4m a year. The midfield maestro is often hailed as one of the Premier League’s best players of the current age. He’s netted 11 times and set up a further eight in all this season as he vies to win his fourth title with City.
The Belgian has picked up several injuries over the past few years and missed a handful of games at the start of the season due to an ankle knock. But since then, he’s had no further problems so far.
Earning £19.2m in third is United shot stopper David de Gea. The goalkeeper has now been at the club for nearly 11 years and has been first choice for almost the whole of his stay.
Despite an 18-month blip, De Gea is considered by many to be back to his best and has started every Premier League game this season, keeping seven clean sheets. Summer recruit Jadon Sancho comes in at fourth on the list, the 21-year-old earning £1.5m a month to take his annual income to £18m.
The England international has been in creditable form over the last two months, netting two Premier League goals and setting up a further three. However, many of those from the Old Trafford terraces are yet to be convinced of his £73m price tag amid his move from Borussia Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate has left him out of the upcoming England internationals, the Three Lions boss explaining: “Other attacking players in the squad are slightly ahead of him, in our feeling.”
Finally, teammate and fellow pre-season signing Raphael Varane completes the top five with his £15.6m annual salary. His £42m arrival from Real Madrid excited many United supporters, and rightly so.
The France international’s presence in central defence has been telling with the Red Devils losing just two of the 17 Premier League games he’s featured in this season. However, Varane has had several issues with injuries, having been sidelined with groin and hamstring problems at various points in the campaign.
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