United’s transfer budget has reportedly been revealed.
Manchester United fans have been left shocked after reading a new report claiming how much the club has to spend on new players this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s side finished in eighth place in the Premier League this season, despite two consecutive wins to end the campaign.
That meant they missed out on European qualification entirely, although can secure Europa League football for next season by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final this weekend.
United have been dogged by injury issues this term, having been without a natural left-back for the entire second half of the season, while Ten Hag couldn’t select any of his five senior centre-backs for the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
This summer, therefore, fans were expectant that the club would delve into the transfer market and complete key pieces of business – especially following on from the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS as minority co-owners in February.
But according to the Daily Mail, United may have to be busy on both the incoming and outgoing front to complete the deals they need.
It is claimed that the Red Devils have an initial amount of just over £35 million in cash to spend – in comparison, their net spend last summer was £110.85 million.
Fans reacted on social media, with one writing: “Next season already looks bleak.”
Another asked: “What’s going on?”
A third said: “I don’t understand, every summer is the same.”
But another countered by saying: “We hear this every summer only for them to spend almost £200 million.”
The report adds, however, that Ratcliffe and INEOS will be proactive in ensuring that player sales get over the line, and they ‘expect to raise substantially more’ by selling star players.
It is also added that United are prepared to offer player swaps – something not regularly seen under the previous ownership or, indeed, by most other Premier League clubs.
And it is worth noting that, in recent years, the club have pursued a transfer policy of paying instalments over several years on players – meaning the £35 million in cash claim is perhaps not as detrimental as some fans may think.
United have already announced the departures of Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial at the end of their contracts, which will likely free up a significant amount in wages.
They could also cash in on Jadon Sancho following his success on loan at Borussia Dortmund, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford are among the other players to have been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
