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Manchester United are preparing for a big transfer window in the summer and Ineos should have a flexible budget to play with.
When discussing his new contract talks, Harry Maguire predicted a big transfer window for Manchester United in 2026.
Michael Carrick has led a resurgence that has put United on the brink of Champions League qualification, and that alone is expected to provide a £100m boost to the budget.
But Ineos are also preparing for multiple first-team sales which should raise funds, and on top of that, some of the club’s biggest earners are leaving as free agents.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images Gary Neville says Man Utd’s combined fee and wages spend on Casemiro was bad business – Do you agree?
He is upset there is no resale value and he will leave for free
Getty Images Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia free up £39m wages
Casemiro confirmed he is leaving United at the end of the season when his contract expires. Despite United fans chanting for Casemiro to stay for an extra year, the Brazilian has made up his mind.
Casemiro is United’s highest earner at the club with a wage of £350,000 per week. His exit alone is set to save the club £18.2 million over the course of one year.
Then there is Jadon Sancho, whose contract is up at the end of the season. Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa so he is unlikely to ever return to Carrington.
Sancho signed a £325,000 per week contract at United when he signed from Borussia Dortmund, so his exit will also save an extra £16.9 million per year from the club’s books.
Finally, Tyrell Malacia is set to leave in 2026 after falling well out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford. The Dutch defender’s only two appearances this season came as late substitute cameos against Newcastle.
Malacia earns £75,000 per week, so his exit will scratch another £3.9 million from United’s wages.
Overall, the three free agent departures will save United £39 million across a single year, which gives Ineos plenty of financial flexibility to spend in 2026.
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Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images How Man United’s wage bill compares to Premier League rivals
Under Ineos, United have regained control of their wage bill and stopped handing out huge contracts to underperforming players.
In 2024/25, United’s wage bill was £313 million, which was a drastic 14 percent drop from the £364 million wage bill in 2023/24.
A return to the Champions League will hike up United’s wage bill because missing out on Europe triggered a 25% pay cut for players.
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Interestingly, United’s wage bill is already under the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Considering United still made a record £667m in revenue last season, there will be funds to spend in the summer for Ineos in what is expected to be a big summer of investment.
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