Erik ten Hag allegedly seeks to sell six players and is reportedly displeased with a £75m star. A clear-out is expected.

 

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly called for a "ruthless" clear-out of the squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. According to Manchester Evening News, the club spent approximately £213 million on five permanent signings last summer, but only managed to recoup £11.5 million from player sales. Therefore, there will be a greater emphasis on outgoings this time around, with a number of outcasts expected to be offloaded.

The players reportedly available for sale include Alex Telles, Anthony Martial, Brandon Williams, and Harry Maguire. Eric Bailly may also be available in the transfer market if he does not reach the appearance milestone required to trigger Marseille's obligation to buy him after his loan stint. Additionally, goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who made headlines at the start of the campaign with explosive comments targeting the club, is expected to be sold.

With Financial Fair Play regulations to consider, Manchester United needs to recoup funds to boost their transfer budget. Selling their out-of-favour stars could easily recoup more than £100 million for the club. While Henderson may be the most valuable of the six players mentioned, his future with the club is uncertain after his comments last summer. He referred to being treated like a "criminal" and a "caged animal," which has seemingly put his future with the club in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is not facing the risk of being sold by the club, but next season could be make-or-break for the player. United paid a hefty £75 million to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021, but he has registered just 10 goals and four assists from 64 games in all competitions. In comparison, he was a revelation during his time in Germany, bagging 50 goals and 64 assists from just 137 appearances in all competitions.

Ten Hag has reportedly become increasingly impatient with Sancho, who has only made five starts since the World Cup break. The United manager has experimented with Sancho in multiple roles, but the 23-year-old needs to find his feet soon to salvage his Red Devils career. If he fails to perform, the club may look to sell him in the future.

Overall, Manchester United appears to be taking a decisive approach in the upcoming transfer window, with a clear-out of out-of-favour players expected to take place. The club's Financial Fair Play situation necessitates that they sell players to boost their transfer budget, and while it remains to be seen which players will be sold, it appears that the likes of Telles, Martial, Williams, and Maguire are available. In the case of Sancho, the upcoming season will be crucial for his future with the club. The pressure is on him to deliver if he wants to continue his career at Old Trafford.