Christian Purslow believes Manchester United will need to sharpen their act quickly or risk losing millions of pounds.
The Red Devils are struggling in seventh spot on the Premier League table, 11 points from the top four, meaning they are likely to miss out on making the Champions League for next season.
Former Liverpool managing director Purslow is well aware that this possible failure will see United lose out in the money stakes and he fears that David Moyes' club will battle to return to Europe's premier club competition if they do not make it in 2015/16.
Late last year, BT Sport confirmed that they had agreed a three-year, £897million deal to broadcast the Champions League and Europa League which will allow clubs to bring in even more cash when the qualify for said competitions.
"If you qualify for the Champions League you stand to make around £30 million," he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show on talkSPORT.
"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 Moyes and [chief executive] Edward 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]."
