• Friday, May 17, 2024
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BusinessDay

Manchester United set for dramatic squad overhaul

Manchester-United-squad

Manchester United are reportedly open to offers to sell nearly all of its first-team squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, as new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seeks to reposition the club to its glory days.

The new leadership at Old Trafford is adopting a flexible approach to the upcoming transfer window due to financial constraints and the potential loss of Champions League revenues.

While Manchester United are not actively seeking to offload players like Marcus Rashford, they are open to considering credible offers, especially if players express a desire for a new challenge.

The club’s priority this summer is to recruit a striker, central midfielder, and right-sided centre-half, but they need to raise funds through player sales to boost their transfer budget.

With financial constraints in mind, Manchester United’s new regime, led by Ratcliffe, is keeping an open mind about potential player sales. While certain rising stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund are off-limits, the club is open to discussions regarding other players, including Rashford, should suitable offers arise, according to The Telegraph.

It is understood Rashford is on the list, but sources at Old Trafford say the board wants to keep the England striker and work with him to restore the form that brought him 30 goals for the first time last season.

Rashford’s future at Manchester United may be uncertain due to a challenging season on and off the pitch, coupled with his £325,000 a week wage.

While Paris Saint-Germain has previously shown interest in Rashford, his salary combined with a significant transfer fee could be a stumbling block for potential suitors.

The departures of free agents like Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, and Brandon Williams could free up substantial wages for new signings.

However, Man United’s transfer activity will heavily depend on player sales, which could influence their strategy for strengthening specific positions, such as full-back and wide-forward areas.

Players like Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Mason Greenwood are among those whose futures are uncertain, with potential interest from other clubs.

United are also monitoring the market for potential opportunities, particularly in leagues like the Saudi Pro League, which could offer an avenue for offloading high-earning players like Casemiro.