sport news Casemiro and Raphael Varane are heading for the exit but the jury's out on ... trends now
A summer of change looms at Manchester United with all but a handful of the club’s stars understood to be available at the right price.
New co-owners Ineos are committed to re-shaping the squad and driving down the wage bill to comply with Financial Fair Play, with United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League only exacerbating the problem.
Mail Sport revealed last month that the exodus from Old Trafford could hit double figures, and we have rated the likelihood of each player leaving.
Manchester United are likely to undergo a significant squad overhaul when the transfer window opens
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will likely allow a number of stars to leave in his first full season at the club
A diamond of the academy system, Mainoo is enjoying a breakthrough season. Ineos have a vision for United’s future and the 18-year-old fits in perfectly. He will be rewarded with a new contract this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho 0/10
Another star pupil from the academy, the 19-year-old Argentina international is in his second season with the first-team and continues to go from strength to strength. Garnacho is an exciting winger in the best traditions of United and a key figure in the long-term strategy.
Academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho has gone from strength to strength this season
Ten Hag confirmed this week that Harry Kane was his No.1 target last summer, but United switched to a younger, cheaper option in Hojlund. The Dane was hardly a snip at £72m but United hope the image of Hojlund, Mainoo and Garnacho sat on an advertising board at Old Trafford, celebrating a goal against West Ham, will become an iconic image in the years to come.
BIG EARNERS Casemiro 8/10Excellent in his first season, the Brazilian’s £70m move to United from Real Madrid hasn’t aged well. The club want to wipe his £375,000-a-week wages off the books, and the 32-year-old was high on the agenda when former football director John Murtough flew to Saudi Arabia for talks in December. Al-Hilal are one of several clubs showing an interest.
One of the club's highest-earners, Casemiro will likely depart United when the window opens
Selling Rashford just a year after he signed a new £315,000-a-week contract would be a huge decision. But the economic climate at Old Trafford, combined with Rashford’s troubled season and the fact he would generate 100 per cent profit under FFP rules as a homegrown player, mean United would have to listen to offers if Paris Saint-Germain revived their interest in signing him as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe.
Bruno Fernandes 4/10The United captain has carried his team through some turbulent times, and a record of 79 goals and 64 assists in 230 games explains why United value him so highly. But Fernandes said this week that he would not decide on his future until after the Euros. At some point, the 29-year-old and United face a big decision over whether he extends his £240,000-a-week deal.
Bruno Fernandes raised doubts regarding his future with comments made earlier this week
The England midfielder’s £60m move from Chelsea last summer on a weekly salary of £250,000 has been a huge disappointment, not helped by a calf injury that kept him out for four months. United would make a significant loss if they sold Mount now, a prospect that seems very remote.
Jadon Sancho 8/10Sancho’s improved form on loan at Borussia Dortmund has raised the prospect of him coming back to Old Trafford to resurrect his United career – particularly if Ten Hag is sacked this summer following their fall-out. The manager spoke this week about Sancho showing ‘he represents a high value’ in Dortmund, and United would be open to selling a player who earns £250,000-a-week.
Jadon Sancho has been revitalised since returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan
If Ineos dispense with Ten Hag’s services, the £86m signing from his old club Ajax will be held up as a symbol of his shortcomings at United. Antony hasn’t come close to meeting expectations. Off-the-field allegations – which he strenuously denies – and incidents like his ear-cupping celebration after the FA Cup shootout win over Coventry a fortnight ago haven’t helped. United would be open to recouping some of the fee and offloading his £200,000-a-week salary if possible.
OUT OF CONTRACT Raphael Varane 9/10United have decided not to extend the Frenchman’s £340,000-a-week contract when it runs out on June 30 and Varane is unwilling to negotiate a pay-cut. The 31-year-old will move on with the Saudi Pro League a likely destination amid interest from Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.
Raphael Varane looks set to leave in the summer after refusing to negotiate a pay cut
Another high-earning Frenchman on £250,000-a-week, Martial will leave Old Trafford after nine seasons this summer having never fulfilled his huge potential at United. Injuries have played a part and he has made just 19 appearances so far in a farewell season that will end with a whimper – unless Martial has got a Cup Final winner in him.
Jonny Evans 6/10The veteran Northern Ireland
