During the first week of the summer transfer window, Manchester United find themselves with a fresh problem to solve
Manchester United will hope the World Cup drums up interest in Marcus Rashford(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
There is plenty of positivity floating around Manchester United right now but the third day of the summer transfer window has unveiled fresh problems for the Reds. Under Michael Carrick, United are looking to kickstart a new era at Old Trafford and avoid falling into familiar patterns.
One of Ineos’ top objectives when they arrived in February 2024, was to stop United becoming a home for players looking to pick up a wage. A major incentive for joining United in the past has been the high pay packets. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plan is to lower that wage bill while simultaneously improving the team.
This summer has already seen one of United’s highest paid players Casemiro leave the club. That saving will be swamped though, if the Reds do not sell two unwanted players in the summer transfer window. Marcus Rashford is the first United star who the club want to rehome.
Get YOUR Man United Newsletter
Get the best United news, updates and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Manchester Evening News!
To get it, it’s a simple one-two punch.
Head THIS WAYEnter your email and hit Subscribe.
Rashford’s eventual downfall at United came following disagreements with previous head coach Ruben Amorim. After being loaned to Aston Villa and Barcelona, the Reds had come to terms with the winger leaving permanently. His £16.9m annual wage was quickly seen as being better spent elsewhere.
Despite having a £26m option to buy inserted into the loan agreement with Barca, the deadline to activate it passed on Monday. It is understood this has not changed United’s plans though. Rashford would be welcomed back for pre-season but they still want to sell him, despite Amorim leaving, and the Reds will not engage with any talks over another loan with Barcelona.
This hardline stance sends a clear message on United’s Rashford plans. But it is also a risky strategy. Ruling out a loan deal now, forces United into a situation where they could end up keeping Rashford, and his hefty salary, on the books.
The same applies to Andre Onana. Albeit on a lower annual salary than Rashford (£6.24m), Onana is seen as surplus to requirements in Manchester. Amorim let the Cameroon international join Trabzonspor last summer after agreeing a change was needed in goal.
Senne Lammens’ introduction has been a revelation and United now have a goalkeeper who could theoretically be No.1 for the next decade. Even with Altay Bayindir’s future uncertain, Onana is seen as an expensive back-up option and therefore has to be sold this summer.
Trabzonspor have made all the right noises surrounding their approach for Onana. They are confident they can land an agreement with all parties to keep him at the Turkish club next season.
But until that official confirmation comes, it is just another fresh issue that United must solve. If new clubs cannot be found for Onana and Rashford this summer, the Reds risk being committed to £23.14m in wages over the next 12 months that could easily be spent elsewhere.
There is no shortage of positions United want to strengthen this summer and keeping Rashford, in particular, but also Onana around only hinders Ineos’ long-term salary strategy. Until deals are done for both men, their futures are likely to continue giving the United co-owners sleepless nights.