Manchester United are set for yet another busy summer following a series of blockbuster moves last year, which saw Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo all join the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked earlier this season despite signing a new three-year deal last summer, with yet another rebuild to commence at Old Trafford this year.
Erik ten Hag will be the man to lead the revolution and according to reports, United have denied suggestions that they have a fixed budget for the Dutchman’s first transfer window.
That’s according to the Manchester Evening News, who claim that the club is planning to be far more flexible and spend according to their means.
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Reports of budgets ranging between £20m and £200m have been dismissed and should Ralf Rangnick have had his wish of signing a striker in the January transfer window, as he had asked for, that money would have impacted this summer’s spending power.
Furthermore, the club is expecting to save £50m on players leaving on free transfers. Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Lee Grant, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani will all leave upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.
There could be a further windfall of cash, with question marks still hanging over several of the players. Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are some of the players with uncertain futures.
As per the report, Manchester United are open to listening to offers for Wan-Bissaka, who has stagnated in the last two seasons since his big-money move from Crystal Palace in 2019.
Ralf Rangnick was not wrong when he suggested United needed to buy 10+ players. This season, the whole team has failed to meet expectations.
Grant, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Lingard and Cavani thats 6 who will all leave on free transfers.
Jones, Bailly, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Telles, Pereira and Martial (7 players) need to be sold. Hopefully, United can raise £100,m from those sales.
Two left footed centre-backs need to be bought; Pau Torres (£55,m), Evan N’Dicka (£25,m), Goncalo Inacio (£40,m).
Two defensive midfielders; Axel Witzel (free), Boubacar Kamara (free), Ibrahim Sangare (£25,m).
Two centre forwards; Lautaro Martinez (£75,m) and Darwin Nunez (£80,m).
A loan return for Donny Van de Beek, who will hopefully be able to recover his form under Erik ten Hag and be able to replace Pogba. He can not be much worse!
Promotion from within will also be needed; Williams at left back, Garner and Hannibal in midfield, Amad, Pellistri, Shoretire, Garnacho in the wide attacking area’s.
So spending £80,m on defence and £20,m on defensive midfield being covered by player sales, it leaves the transfer budget for two quality centre forwards.