Manchester United are open to selling all but four first-team players this summer, according to reports.
The Red Devils are preparing for an important summer transfer window, with Ruben Amorim desperate to bring in some of his new signings following a dismal start to his time in charge.
United were just 14th when Amorim left Sporting Lisbon to replace Erik ten Hag but the club’s Premier League form has got even worse since then, with the Manchester giants 15th with three games remaining.
Winning the Europa League and thus somehow qualifying for next season’s Champions League would paper over the cracks but Amorim is fully aware that reinforcements are needed to bolster his Old Trafford squad.
Amorim reportedly wants to spend almost £100m to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, while United are also expected to be in the market for a new midfielder and goalkeeper amid Andre Onana’s struggles this season.
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The ex-Sporting manager has been told that sales will be necessary to raise funds for his transfer kitty and to meet increasingly stringent financial rules.
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United bosses are open to selling ‘most members of the first-team squad’ if suitable offers arrive on the table.
It is claimed the only players ‘immune from the fire sale’ are Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu and Harry Maguire.
That means the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt could all be sold.
Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia will also leave on permanent transfers following their loan moves during the January transfer window.
Fernandes has been Manchester United’s best and most important player since his move from Portugal in 2020, scoring almost 100 goals for the club.
The 30-year-old has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs and sides in Saudi Arabia but Amorim intends to build the team around his compatriot.
Amad will also be a key member of Amorim’s squad next season after recovering from an injury that ruled him for over three months of the current campaign.
Amorim wants to work with Dorgu, his first United signing, throughout the summer to ensure he is in a position to perform in the wing-back role next year.
It is also claimed that Manchester United intend to keep hold of Maguire following his resurgence at the Theatre of Dreams.
United have nothing but pride to play for in the Premier League but can end a dismal season with a major trophy if they go on to win the Europa League.
Amorim’s side have impressed in Europe despite their domestic struggles and have a 3-0 aggregate lead over Athletic Bilbao ahead of the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
Manchester United will likely meet Premier League rivals Tottenham in the Europa League final, with Spurs leading Bodo-Glimt 3-1 ahead of their trip to Norway.
‘As a club, we need to understand in this moment that we have a big responsibility [to win the Europa League],’ Amorim said earlier this week.
‘We are losing games in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the Europa League so we need to accept that and to think about Thursday now, which is the most important game for us.’
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