Former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow believes that Manchester United's failure to qualify for the Champions League will cost them around £60m.
The champions are currently seventh in the Premier League, 11 points behind Liverpool who currently occupy the final qualification spot.
Purslow told talkSPORT: "If you qualify for the Champions League you stand to make around £30m. Next year, when that BT Sport deal kicks in, that figure will probably double.
"In other words the difference between fourth and fifth place in the Premier League may be between £50-60m a year. That affects Manchester United the most. They don't look like they're going to be there this year. It gives [manger] David Moyes and [chief executive] Ed Woodward a year to get their act together.
"They can live with a £30m disadvantage for one year but, in another year's time, if they miss out [again], they may never get back [in the Champions League]."
Moyes's side travel to Crystal Palace this weekend.
Paul Gorst
