Manchester United have sold two players so far this summer with a combined fixed profit of £5 million. The club is thought to have a budget of just over £100 million and will have to sell to buy if they choose to spend much more.
Mason Mount and recent signing Andre Onana have cost a combined fee of £101 million. After add-ons, this will likely take United close to their budget of around £100 million. In desperate need of a number 9 and for further improvements to be made, United will have to raise significant funds if they are to give Ten Hag the players he desires.
United’s Struggles With Sales
Initial reports indicated that United had successfully negotiated a £4 million deal to offload Alex Telles. However, it now seems that even this deal has collapsed, with Al Nassr opting to explore superior alternatives at left-back.
United are yet to show the capability to fulfil Ten Hag’s needs for next season as yet again it seems that they’re going to hold onto deadwood and/or sell players for cheap.
The negotiators for United confuse matters by signing players on huge wages for long deals. By doing this, they create long-term issues as most clubs are unwilling to pay both huge fees and wages.
So far this summer, the management at Old Trafford has managed to sell only ONE player for a fee – Zidane Iqbal, generating a profit of less than £1million. The club has also faced criticism for selling one of United’s most promising talents for such a low sum.
United have a catalogue of deadwood that they should be able to push out the door for fair fees. Maguire, McTominay, Fred, and Martial are all players that have failed to impress in recent years. All players could be sold for a combined fee of between £80-£100 million. However, the club is not currently in any serious negotiations to move these players on.
At the onset of the transfer window, reports indicated that United planned to offload up to 13 players. However, to date, not a single player from that list has been sold. This clearly underscores the ineffectiveness of our negotiation and transfer team.
Interest is not the issue with many reports of clubs looking at these players. The naivety of the negotiators is likely the reasoning behind the hindrance of the progression of these departures.
United is notoriously recognised for its ignorance in the market within the industry. Under the Glazer regime, the club will continue to be tarnished with the same label.
How Will It Affect Future Transfers
United’s favoured target Rasmus Hojlund, whom they have just agreed to personal terms with, looks to cost in excess of £60 million. According to reports from Simon Stone, United have stated they will not overpay for the Danish international.
United will have to look at departures to be capable of executing such a signing. Multiple reports suggest United has a strict budget due to FFP.
Not only does Erik want to sign a new striker, but there is also a clear interest in a move towards a midfielder. Sofyan Amrabat is currently heavily linked with the red devils in pursuit of a more defensively-minded player.
There is a clear desire from Ten Hag to sign more talent however United may leave him handicapped going into the new season.
