Manchester United are planning to sell eight players to fund a big-money move for Elliot Anderson this summer. The Nottingham Forest midfielder, who is valued at £100million, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking to generate funds for his signing through the sale of several squad members. Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, Andre Onana and Marcus Rashford are all set to be offloaded, according to The Sun.
A minimum of £60million is being targeted for Hojlund and Rashford, who have buy-out clauses in their loan deals with Napoli and Barcelona respectively. Considerable losses are anticipated from Ugarte and Zirkzee, while United reportedly need £19m from Onana to avoid compliance issues with profit and sustainability regulations. The departures of Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Casemiro as free agents will additionally ease the burden on the wage bill.
The latter’s exit has already been confirmed, with the club hopeful that Anderson will arrive as his successor. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes and Carlos Baleba are among the other midfielders to have been linked with a switch to United.
Anderson appears to be United’s preferred target, though they will almost certainly face competition for his signature, with Manchester City also in the running as they confront the possibility of losing Rodri within the next few transfer windows. Bolstering the midfield remains United’s most pressing priority regardless of whoever takes permanent control, with two additions likely should Ugarte follow Casemiro out of the door.
Securing Champions League football will be absolutely vital to generating sufficient funds for that transfer strategy. United currently occupy third place in the Premier League table and are therefore well placed to return among Europe’s finest next season, with five clubs set to qualify via league position.
The international break and FA Cup quarter-finals means it will have been 24 days between the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and United’s clash with Leeds United on Monday, April 13.
Bruno Fernandes will be targeting a fifth successive match with a goal contribution, with the 31-year-old in breathtaking form. Alongside recruiting a Casemiro replacement, United may soon need to turn their attention towards finding a long-term successor to Fernandes.
It has been reported that West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes is being considered, with the Portuguese midfielder expected to be recommended by the United captain.
The Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League could accelerate those plans, with Fernandes potentially available at a reduced fee and unlikely to remain at the London Stadium to compete in Championship football.
United’s return to European competition will also demand a larger squad, with the need for greater depth particularly acute in midfield compared to their options up front and at the back.