Manchester United are set to clear the decks this summer as they prepare to slash at least £33 million a year off their yearly wage bill. The Red Devils will release Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia, taking around £640,000 off their weekly bill.
Casemiro, Sancho, and Malacia to Leave
Casemiro was signed with a huge salary in 2022 following defeats to Brighton and Brentford, amid United's poor start to the season under Erik ten Hag. The Brazilian's arrival from Real Madrid has largely been positive, and United face a difficult task replacing him with at least two new midfielders, both wanted at M16 this summer.
Left-back Malacia arrived in the same summer, but after a promising first campaign, injuries wrecked his Old Trafford career. Sancho, meanwhile, will go down as one of the club's worst-ever signings, having made little to no impact since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. The winger has spent this season on loan at Aston Villa, but struggled for regular starts under Unai Emery.
Marcus Rashford's Future Uncertain
While United are set to save a significant sum on wages, further cuts could be affected by Marcus Rashford's future. It is understood that the club have no plans to re-integrate him into their first-team squad next season under Michael Carrick. The winger has enjoyed an impressive season on loan at Barcelona with 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, earning him a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup.
The Catalan giants have a £26 million purchase option in their loan agreement with United to sign him this summer. Barca have until June 15 to trigger their buy option for Rashford, but there are indications from Spain that they are reluctant to pay the agreed fee and may look to renegotiate it.
Barcelona Eye Alternatives
Barca have also been linked with several new left-wing options this summer, adding to further doubt that they will sign Rashford. The Press Association report that the La Liga side have registered their interest in Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, a possible alternative to Rashford. While Gordon has mainly been used as a striker this season under Eddie Howe, the England international has predominantly made his name as a winger.
Other left-wing options being linked include Victor Munoz, who has emerged as one of the breakout stars in La Liga this season with Osasuna. The forward has a release clause worth €40 million (around £35 million) in his contract, meaning, like Gordon, his signing would be significantly more expensive than the £26 million it would cost Barca to sign Rashford.
However, either player arriving at the Camp Nou would be bad news for Rashford, as the Catalan side would almost certainly not splash out on two left-wingers this summer. And it is said that if Barca are struggling to afford the £26 million it would cost them to sign Rashford, they could turn their attentions to a cheaper player in that position. One such name being linked is Ajax star Mika Godts, who has 17 goals and 14 assists from 40 matches across all competitions.
Whoever Barca turn to this summer, it is clear that Rashford would love to stay. Asked about his future earlier this month, he said: 'I don't know. We will see. I came here to win. I want to win as many things as I can. This is one more to add to this. This is a wonderful team, they're going to win so much in the future; to be a part of that would be special.'
