Man Utd could lose 13 players this summer with INEOS planning brutal clear-out | Football | Sport

Manchester United supporters are eagerly anticipating the club’s summer transfer window activity, yet departures will prove equally crucial in trimming the squad and financing potential arrivals. The number of exits could well reach double figures this summer. Several high-profile names are expected to head for the door, including Casemiro, who will depart upon the expiry of his contract.

Casemiro remains the highest earner in the dressing room, meaning his exit will free up considerable space in the wage budget. United are also keen to move on Marcus Rashford, who currently commands £300,000 per week. Barcelona hold the option to sign Rashford on a permanent basis for £26million (€30m) at the end of the season, though reports emerging from Spain suggest their enthusiasm for completing the deal has waned.

It remains possible that Barcelona are concealing their true intentions in a bid to negotiate a reduced permanent fee for Rashford, so it came as little surprise when Michael Carrick left the door ajar for a return to Manchester during a press conference last week.

When quizzed about Rashford, he said: “I just think there are decisions to be made in time, really, on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation.

“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

Carrick could not rule out the possibility of Rashford returning, as doing so would undermine United’s negotiating position this summer.

The Red Devils will not entertain any lowball offers from Barca and will seek alternative buyers if the Spanish giants are unwilling to meet their asking price.

Much like Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho have both spent the campaign out on loan.

However, the terms of Napoli’s arrangement for Hojlund stipulated that he would join the Italian club on a permanent basis for €44m (£38m) once their obligation, subject to certain conditions, is triggered.

Hojlund’s switch to Napoli has been described as a “formality”, meaning his three-year stint at United will draw to a close. United will avoid a loss under PSR regulations, which represents something of a consolation given his underwhelming spell at the club.

Aston Villa brought Sancho in on loan on transfer deadline day, with Unai Emery’s side agreeing to cover 80 per cent of his wages. The deal also included attainable bonuses, meaning his full salary has effectively been met throughout his time in Birmingham this season.

United collected a loan fee, yet the agreement contained no option or obligation to purchase Sancho permanently, meaning he will depart Old Trafford as a free agent this summer.

Sancho appeared destined for greatness when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund for £72.8m in the summer of 2021, but his time in Manchester has proven a profound disappointment.

Tyrell Malacia found himself in the ‘bomb squad’ alongside Sancho last summer. United tried to sell the Dutch defender but he remained beyond the transfer window, and came close to departing once again in January.

Malacia was a competent back-up until he sustained a knee injury at the conclusion of his debut season in Manchester. He underwent two rounds of surgery, missed over 500 days of football and failed to return as the same player.

United will seek to offload Andre Onana on a permanent basis and recover what they can of the £47.2m they spent to acquire the goalkeeper from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023.

Radek Vitek will be handed the opportunity to feature in pre-season after impressing during his loan stint with Bristol City, but the gifted goalkeeper is eager to play consistently after featuring twice weekly in the Championship.

Senne Lammens has established himself as first choice, meaning United may be forced to reluctantly sanction a sale of Vitek, provided the appropriate clauses can be agreed with a prospective buyer.

It remains to be seen whether Altay Bayindir will change clubs after yet another season as a bench-warmer. The Turkish goalkeeper has been strongly linked with a departure, which would grant him greater playing opportunities.

Uncertainty surrounds Joshua Zirkzee, who contemplated his future ahead of the winter transfer window before being told he would not be permitted to leave. United regard Zirkzee as a useful squad member, yet the Dutchman has grown increasingly frustrated by his limited playing time.

Manuel Ugarte finds himself in a comparable situation to Zirkzee having managed just eight league starts. The INEOS regime intends to give new arrivals two seasons to demonstrate their worth, and Ugarte is approaching the conclusion of his second campaign at the club. It’s fair to say he has failed to impress.

Meanwhile, several academy products will be heading for the exit door this summer. Tyler Fredricson remains under contract for a further year, but he may seek a permanent exit to launch his professional career.

Toby Collyer spent the opening half of the season on loan at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Hull City for the second half. There was concrete interest in Collyer on a permanent basis last summer, and he is keen to secure regular first-team football.

Dan Gore is out of contract this summer. Erik ten Hag handed Gore his senior debut against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in 2023, and he subsequently featured against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Gore was named amongst the substitutes for a number of Champions League fixtures, but United have sent him out on loan three times over the past two years, with mixed results owing to injuries.

Expect considerable transfer activity at Old Trafford this summer, but departures could prove every bit as crucial as arrivals.

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