The initiative, which aims to use public funds to assist scientific and technological advancements, has chosen United as one of 28 sporting institutions to benefit, along with Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham.
According to the regulations, a club can only submit an application if it advances the field as a whole.
During the 2021–2022 fiscal year, United was paid £1.28 million.
The United Lab was established in 2020 as a result of the efforts of sporting director Tony Asghar, head of research Dr. Dan Parnell, recruitment chief Sean McGee, and performance consultant Ryland Morgans. All of these individuals have subsequently departed the team.
The Tangerines have also been ordered to refund HMRC, and while the Tannadice side is currently contesting that judgment, they will have to pay a six-figure sum.
“After year-end, the club received a request from HMRC for the repayment of tax relating to an R&D claim in 2021,” United’s June 2024 financial statements verified.
The club has filed an appeal against this and is working with the tax authorities to prove that the qualifying R&D standards were fulfilled with the help of R&D tax specialists.
“The R&D tax experts hired are legally obligated to reimburse the club 20% of any required payment to HMRC.
The potential repayment estimation is anywhere between £0 – 0.6m.”
An HMRC spokesperson told the sportpinking: “R&D claims from all sectors are checked and where risks are identified we use a range of compliance approaches and powers to address them.”
