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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plan for an overhaul of the first team squad is now starting to take shape with his army of directors now in place.
Dan Ashworth is settling in now to his new role as sporting director with a clear understanding from incoming CEO Omar Berrada on what he needs to focus on.
The ex Manchester City CEO has made Ashworth aware that he expects a focus on implementing the correct structure throughout the club to ensure success on the pitch, as well as to not overpay on players in the transfer market.
Ratcliffe has previously expressed that he believes the rebuild project that he and his team are now undertaking is likely to take up to three summer transfer windows to see the major improvements needed at Old Trafford to return the club to their glory days.
Last month the club announced that of the current first-team, only six players were being marked as ‘untouchable’ this summer.
This small shortlist was made up of goalkeeper Andra Onana, key defenders Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot, FA Cup Final goalscorers Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, and the club’s only striker Rasmus Hojlund.
With these in mind, it was understood at the time that all of the other first team squad members would be considered for moves away from Old Trafford for the right price.
Well, with United’s relatively small transfer budget of £50 million, it’s clear that the Red Devils need to offload some players in order to be competitive this transfer season.
Now, The Mirror have reported that Ashworth has identified seven players he wants to offload which he believes could raise a combined sum of £200 million to support transfer offers for United’s key targets this summer.
The seven players set for the cut are; Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
Whilst this is the first time this list has been seen as a collective, the future of these players has been looking very clear lately to be away from the club.
Sancho and Greenwood have been the subject of interest from a series of top European clubs including Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, whilst Lindelof has recently been linked with a reunion with ex manager Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.
Meanwhile Maguire and Eriksen are entering the last year of their contracts so this summer is the last chance United would have to cash in on the players without extending their contracts, while Casemiro and Antony’s recent performances his year have made it most likely that the club would be looking to part ways with the Brazilian stars.
It’s unsure as of yet if United will be able to sell all seven players, however the Premier League club may need to brace themselves to take major financial hits on some, with Antony and Sancho costing £85 million and £73 million respectively, but not looking like pulling back anywhere near that amount this summer.
