Manchester United are believed to be planning a major squad shake-up this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos usher in a new era at Old Trafford.
Only three players are off-limits with a price apparently on the head of everybody else in their underachieving squad.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday that United’s regime are open-minded about sales and will consider most bids.
The potential problem with United holding a fire sale now is that quite a few clubs – especially in the Premier League – are watching how much they spend.
There is another season yet of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules [PSR] which have already been shown to have some teeth with points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Manchester United would listen to offers for Marcus Rashford, according to reports, as part of a wider summer squad fire sale to raise funds
United may be forced to cut their losses on a number of underwhelming players, like Antony
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is prepared to be brutal with outgoings due to United’s meagre budget
The futures of a host of players and embattled manager Erik ten Hag remain uncertain
Then there’s the prospect of a hard salary cap from the 2025-26 season ‘anchored’ against how much the league’s bottom-placed team earns in TV money.
United voted against the proposals on Monday but the majority of top-flight clubs gave the green light to proceed.
Then there’s UEFA’s new financial rules limiting spending on player and coach wages, transfer and agent fees.
United can only dream of getting into next season’s Champions League from here but they may well be in another UEFA competition and it only adds to the headache.
So it looks like the Premier League’s golden days of unfettered spending on the world’s top players and extortionate wages are over.
As clubs scramble to raise funds and keep on the right side of the various limits, United won’t be the only ones trying to shift players on this summer.
Their failure to make next season’s expanded Champions League – which could yet cost Erik ten Hag his job – only reduces their margin for error.
Financial pressures coupled with Ratcliffe’s desire to take United in a new direction means several prominent players could be heading out the door. But how much can they realistically raise?
THE UNTOUCHABLES
The Telegraph report said the only three players ‘off-limits’ are Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.