Manchester United are set to embark on a significant squad overhaul this summer, with the aim of achieving double figures in permanent departures, according to reports.
According to the Manchester Evening News, veterans Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are expected to hang up their boots at the end of the season, while Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are likely to be released.
The Red Devils are also planning to offload Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho in a bid to fund a new striker. Casemiro is also set to be put on the transfer list.
Chelsea have an obligation to buy Sancho for a fee between £20million and £25m, but they could opt to pay a penalty clause to avoid making his season-long loan a permanent deal.
Under the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), non-academy players are given a valuation based on their transfer fee spread over the length of their contract.
Casemiro, who was signed by United for £60m on a four-year contract in 2022, would need to be sold for £15m to avoid a loss under PSR.
Antony, bought for £81.3m in the same summer on a five-year deal, would cost £32.52m, and Sancho would be worth £14.58m if United still have him on their books.
The potential absence of European football next season could also force United to reduce their squad size. Participation in either the Champions League or Europa League guarantees at least eight matches.
United, who last had a season without European football in 2014/15, have already played more games this term than they did in that entire campaign.
The Red Devils are set to play at least 11 more matches this season.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir's future at Old Trafford is uncertain as he may seek regular game time to boost his chances of representing Turkey in next year's World Cup. United boss Ruben Amorim is also on the hunt for a new shot-stopper.
The Red Devils are believed to be eyeing a winger after missing out on Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda. PSV Eindhoven could permanently sign left-back Tyrell Malacia, while Luke Shaw's future at United looks bleak due to his lack of game time.
Evans, 37, has not started a game for United in four months and last featured on December 18. Heaton, who turns 39 next month, has been out of action since early February due to an injury.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted that the club will not be selling players due to their current financial situation. This comes amid uncertainty over the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Mainoo's contract has yet to be renewed, but it can run until 2028, while a £40m bid for Garnacho from Napoli was turned down in January.
Garnacho has been consistently lauded by Amorim for his adaptability to the manager's requirements.
Mainoo has been sidelined for nearly four months due to two separate injuries but showed promise as a playmaker when he scored in the 2-0 Europa League victory over FCSB in January.
The future of Joshua Zirkzee at United is uncertain. Initially signed as a support striker, he is now operating as a playmaker alongside Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils have a goal difference of -3 in the Premier League, a slight decline from last season's -1.
Mason Mount, who has only featured in 33 out of a possible 98 matches for United, may get a reprieve as Amorim believes he could thrive in his 3-4-2-1 system.
Amorim has emphasised the need for United to improve their record of selling homegrown talent, which could supplement any senior departures.
United earned a whopping £109.18m, including add-ons, from player sales last summer.
Since 2022, their most profitable sales have predominantly been academy graduates: Andreas Pereira, James Garner, Anthony Elanga, Dean Henderson, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay.
This article was first published on the Manchester Evening News