Manchester United are willing to listen to offers for the majority of their first-team squad this summer, apart from a group of emerging stars, Telegraph Sport understands.
Old Trafford’s new hierarchy is thought to be ready to adopt an ultra-flexible approach to this summer’s transfer window given tight financial constraints and the likely loss of Champions League revenue.
Agents and scouting and recruitment chiefs at rival clubs are increasingly under the impression that Manchester United’s new Ineos-led regime has a very open mind about the sale and will judge each offer on its own merits.
For example, while United are not actively trying to offload a player like Marcus Rashford, it is believed that United would seriously consider a credible offer for the struggling England striker, especially if he indicated he would like to take on a new challenge.
United are said to be prioritizing the recruitment of a striker, central midfielder and right-sided centre-back this summer, but need to raise funds through sales to boost what is otherwise expected to be a very modest transfer budget.
The looming absence of Champions League football at Old Trafford next season would be partly offset by a 25 percent cut to the salaries players are expected to receive under their contracts.
But United would effectively adopt a sell-to-buy policy if the club were to miss Europe entirely. Such are the constraints on their finances after spending £555 million over the past three summers and the limits imposed by Premier League wins and losses. sustainability rules.
That scenario seems unlikely, but United – who suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Burnley on Saturday, which was met with boos from supporters – are locked in a battle with Newcastle for a place in the Europa League. An FA Cup final victory over Manchester City next month would provide an alternative route to the Europa League.
Mainoo, Garnacho and Hojlund are off limits
Exciting young talents such as Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz could hit the market this summer and would normally be of interest to United. Yet there is little expectation among Old Trafford’s powerbrokers that the club will be able to match the fees paid to the likes of Harry Maguire and Antony in recent years unless there is a huge sales summer. .
It’s the reason Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team, new CEO Omar Berrada and new technical director Jason Wilcox are so open to potential spending. Sources have indicated that they are aware of United’s need to be nimble and flexible in the market as they look to reshape the squad in a challenging financial climate.
Although the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – around whom United hope to build a highly successful team in the coming years – will be strictly off limits to potential suitors, the club are believed to be reluctant to limit their squad. opportunities elsewhere within the team.
It means United could be willing to hold talks with interested parties, for example through Rashford, if offers come in that warrant serious discussion.
Wages in Rashford could be a stumbling block
Rashford, 26, has had a torrid season both on and off the pitch since signing a new five-year contract worth £325,000-a-week last July. On Friday, the England striker – who was booed by United fans during their FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City – lashed out at the ‘abuse’ he said he has been subjected to ‘for months’.
Erik ten Hag said Rashford needed support and support and was partly affected by the team’s problems this season, but the United manager also said the player needed to look at himself as to why his performance level has dropped so dramatically after 30 goals last season to have scored. .
Paris Saint-Germain, who are set to lose French striker Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid this summer, have previously shown interest in Rashford but could pursue alternative targets. Rashford’s wages, combined with a hefty fee, could be a major hurdle for many clubs.
The likes of striker Anthony Martial and defenders Raphael Varane and Brandon Williams are expected to leave as free agents at the end of the season and the huge wage savings there could free up space for a substantial investment in a new player.
But the number of signings United can realistically make will be heavily influenced by sales. And if United were to sell a number of players who occupy the same position – such as Jadon Sancho and Antony in the wide forward area – it would have a direct impact on the positions they see fit to strengthen. Likewise, fullback could be another area that ultimately needs reinforcements depending on who goes.
Future of Sancho, Antony and Greenwood
United loaned Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund in January and hope to find a permanent buyer for the England winger this summer.
Antony, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season on Saturday, has been a huge disappointment since his £85million arrival from Ajax in September 2022, but United should probably be prepared to take a big hit on the Brazilian forward if he would do that. to be moved further.
Controversial £45m-rated striker Mason Greenwood, currently on loan at Girona in Spain, is another player who could be sold to raise significant cash, while United will have to see what interest manifests itself in those at right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, central defender Including Victor Lindelof and midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
United are also waiting to discover whether the Saudi Pro League is ready to recommit to another big summer of spending, which could open up a valuable market for older, high-earning players like Casemiro who might otherwise struggle to find them move.
The Brazilian midfielder, 32, has two years left on his contract worth around £350,000-a-week, which severely limits his options in Europe.