Manchester United could sell 11 players leave in drastic fire sale which includes Bruno Fernandes to fund summer transfer war chest

Manchester United are considering yet another squad clear-out in an effort to make things click under Ruben Amorim.

The two-time Portuguese champion was publicly backed by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last month, being told he’d be given three years despite a horror start.

Getty

Getty

Now a report from The Sun claims that United’s hierarchy will go even further, and sell up to 11 departures and a series of incomings.

United spent an estimated £216million in the summer (£170m net spend), mainly overhauling their forward positions with Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha costing the vast majority of that.

Next up appears to be the midfield, with the report claiming England internationals Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace are seen as a fit for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

A wide player and goalkeeper are also high on the list of priorities despite Senne Lammens arriving from Royal Antwerp to fill the latter issue in an £18m summer deal.

To achieve such a feat, that net spend figure may need to be reduced by the means of an almighty clear-out.

Making the biggest dent could be captain Bruno Fernandes, should he finally say goodbye to Old Trafford after six-and-a-half years of service.

The Portuguese has often looked out of place in Amorim’s system, and has a contractual clause that allows him to join a foreign side for £57m.

United also have a guaranteed incoming of £38m for Rasmus Hojlund, with Napoli obliged to purchase the striker who moved to Manchester for a massive £72m in 2023.

Elsewhere, Barcelona have a £30m option to purchase loanee Marcus Rashford, and the signs are pointing towards such a deal given his six goals and eight assists in 17 games.

United’s bursting wage bill

The move would also boost United’s rebuild in another area – wages, given that Rashford is one of three players to be on over £300,000 per-week.

Manchester United's 11-man cull list

Estimated weekly wages, via The Sun

• Casemiro – £350,000
• Bruno Fernandes – £300,000
• Marcus Rashford – £325,000
• Jadon Sancho – £250,000
• Harry Maguire – £190,000
• Manuel Ugarte – £120,000
• Joshua Zirkzee – £105,000
• Rasmus Højlund – £85,000
• Tyrell Malacia – £75,000
• Altay Bayindir – £35,000
• Kobbie Mainoo – £25,000

TOTAL COMBINED – £2,080,000

Fernandes is another, while five-time Champions League winner Casemiro is reportedly the club’s top earner on £350,000 per-week.

The 33-year-old Brazilian is very likely to be released next summer, while Manuel Ugarte and Kobiee Maino are two other midfielders Amorim clearly doesn’t see in his long-term plans.

Much like Casemiro, a new home will be sought for Jadon Sancho, given his £250,000 per-week wages and lack of form at Old Trafford.

Tyrell Malacia was part of United’s infamous ‘bomb squad’ and will be released if he’s not sold beforehand, while Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir are two more players clearly not viewed as being up to the level.

Last but not least, former captain Harry Maguire is likely to be the final goodbye of the 11, with his contract expiring next summer.

Previously the world’s most expensive defender at £80m, the former England regular signed a one-year deal in the summer, but with wages of £190,000 per-week, he’s another near-certain departure.

Such a clear-out would result in over £2m in salary space and upwards of £125m should the right buyers be found.

It’s a bold strategy, but United have tied their future to Amorim, and it looks like he will be backed to the hilt.