Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim.
Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim. (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
When Ruben Amorim explained that Manchester United will have to sell players to buy new ones in the summer, the options at their disposal to raise funds appeared bleak.
United spent just £25million in January with wing-back Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven arriving. Following losses of £300million in the last three years, the club's profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) position is understood to be too close to the edge to spend big.
"It is simple. To do something, we need to sell players," United's head coach said in February. "Our focus, now, is to win these games. Then we have time to focus on that."
On paper, United aren't in a luxury position in regards to highly-sellable assets. Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are both out of contract in June, freeing-up space on the wage bill, while Jadon Sancho is expected, albeit with no surprises, to complete his permanent switch to Chelsea.
Homegrown pair Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have both been linked with moves away from the club. The sales of Academy players counts as pure profit, significantly improving United's concerns with complying with the financial rules.
Away from Mainoo and Garnacho - two of United's most-expensive assets - the club is not rammed with options to generate funds. However, the dealings in the January transfer window via Jason Wilcox and Amorim mean they could fall heir to close to £100million in player sales.
Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Aston Villa has, somewhat, been a success. The 27-year-old scored his first Premier League goal for the club on Wednesday night after firing his first goals in four months at the weekend during their FA Cup quarter-final win over Preston.
Villa will keep Rashford, if they wish, permanently for £40million at the end of the season. There's no guarantee that will happen, but Unai Emery has heaped praise on the forward and a permanent exit seems more likely than him returning to Old Trafford.
Rashford departing permanently always seemed to be likely, especially after his omission by Amorim. But Antony's services have almost represented the core problem within the club of players deemed not good enough earning a monstrous wage on their substitutes bench.
The Brazilian joined Real Betis in January - and has revived his career. In 12 games, he has scored four and assisted four, earning praise from former Real Madrid star Isco and leading to interest growing.
After costing £81million in 2022, Antony had looked like a player United would struggle to sell. Now, after a short period in Spain, they're in a position where clubs could be expected to battle for his signature.
Reports in Spain have claimed Atletico Madrid have entered the race for his signature. A figure of £40million has been touted - a fee that is more than the one United would have dreamed for back in January. Juventus and two Saudi Pro League clubs are also said to be keen.
Potential permanent exits for Rashford and Antony could bring in a combined amount of £80m-£90m. When the January transfer window closed, not many would have hoped for a better outcome.
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