Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad clear out looks set to move to phase II in the Norwegian’s second season in charge.
Sánchez is currently on loan at Inter Milan and there have been mixed reports about their interest in him for next season. AS Roma are reportedly interested in extending the loan of Chris Smalling with the obligation to buy him next season.
The key phrase here is “receive the right offers.” Other than Dalot, United won’t be expecting any large fees. Dalot’s value is arguably not even as high as the £19 million United paid for him two years ago after spending the past two seasons mostly injured and underperforming in his few opportunities.
Dalot has never been highly rated by Solskjaer, and the manager leaving the fully fit Portuguese out of the traveling squad completely for the first leg of United’s Europa League tie against LASK — leaving the Reds with no backup fullbacks — tells you everything you need to know about how Solskjaer views him.
The emergence of Brandon Williams and Ethan Laird from the academy mean Dalot would likely be fifth choice fullback next season and he probably understands a move away is needed to resurrect his career.
As always, it will all come down to the players. All of them are under contract and won’t be able to pull in nearly as high wages as they are getting at Old Trafford.
Sources told The Busby Babe last summer that United were offering Marcos Rojo around for free, but the player wouldn’t accept lower wages. According to the Daily Mail, Alexis Sánchez is refusing to take a pay cut on his wages that could be worth up to £25 million a year.
David Moyes is reportedly interested in bringing Phil Jones to West Ham but that will also hinge on the player’s wage demands.
Andy Mitten reported a few weeks ago in The Athletic that Lingard started the season on his last chance at Old Trafford. His (lack of) performances this season have seen him fall out of favor with Solskjaer. His hiring of super agent Mino Raiola suggests that he is looking to leave.
Clearing these players wages off the books will be instrumental in United’s ability to bring in new signings. The lack of transfer fees can hurt them in that regard.
It remains to be seen how United will approach this summer’s transfer window, as well as future windows. It’s one thing to work hard at remaining compliant with UEFA’s FFP laws when it seemed like they were being enforced. It’s another thing to keep doing it after Manchester City proved that those laws are a farce.