Marcus Rashford is among the players Man Utd could be willing to sell this summer in order to boost a limited transfer budget.
United are described as keeping an “open mind” when it comes to sales, as the era of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS begins in earnest. The Daily Telegraph explains that agents and rival clubs believe offers for players will be judged individually. No one except Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo is supposed to be excluded from the table. While there is no intention to actively offload players like Rashford, a “credible” offer would receive “genuine consideration”, particularly if he indicated his willingness to take on a new challenge elsewhere.
Manchester United are believed to be prioritizing a striker, a central midfielder and a right centre-back in the summer transfer window. But non-qualification for the Champions League next season will have repercussions on the budget. If the club finishes below seventh in the Premier League and does not qualify for any European competition, the Telegraph notes that the club would be pushed towards a ‘sell to buy’ policy when it comes to recruitment. Failure to actively police itself could lead to problems later with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
A credible offer expected
The absence of the Champions League in 2024/25 will result in a 25% pay cut for United players, as stipulated in their contracts. This will at least make up for the drop in revenue.
A top-four finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League are mathematically out of the question for Erik ten Hag and his team. They are currently sixth, one point ahead of Newcastle and five ahead of West Ham. A top-six finish – or victory in the FA Cup final next month – would equate to qualification for the Europa League. If they finish seventh and do not win the FA Cup, they will qualify for the Europa Conference League. An eighth place or lower, which seems unlikely today, could mean a complete absence from Europe.
