MEDICAL COMPLETED: Man United’s first summer transfer signing has just completed his medical to join the Reds
Manchester United are pressing ahead with plans to invest heavily in the transfer market this summer, aiming to equip manager Ruben Amorim with players who better align with his tactical philosophy. However, their failure to secure Champions League football means the club has lost out on an estimated £100 million in revenue, prompting tough choices regarding which players to offload.
Despite the need to trim the squad, Bruno Fernandes is not expected to be part of the clear-out. The captain remains committed to the club, and United are equally determined to keep him. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, writing for The Daily Mail, praised Fernandes as the club’s most important player and insisted he should be the first name retained.
Sutton, in his analysis of United’s squad, suggested that as many as 12 players should be shown the exit door. Among those he believes the club should part ways with are Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, and Matthijs de Ligt. A number of these players are either out of contract or considered surplus to requirements. Lindelof, Evans, and Eriksen, for instance, are expected to leave as free agents at the end of the season.
What’s especially striking is the inclusion of De Ligt, Ugarte, and Zirkzee, who were signed just last summer for a combined total of £127.8 million. Sutton didn’t hold back in his reasoning, claiming De Ligt fails to offer the defensive solidity needed, Ugarte isn’t worth the £50 million outlay, and Zirkzee lacks the quality to take United to the top.
As for manager Ruben Amorim, he has reportedly offered to leave the club without any compensation if the leadership loses faith in him. But according to Sutton, Amorim isn’t the issue. Instead, he believes the manager should only be evaluated after receiving proper support in the transfer market, arguing that Amorim’s system demands players with specific attributes and that he will not change his style.
Despite the grim outlook following a disappointing 2024/25 season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS remain supportive of Amorim and are committed to helping him rebuild. Amorim himself is said to be taken aback by the scale of the challenge at Old Trafford, but he is not backing down. The upcoming transfer window is expected to be a pivotal one, with the club set to be aggressive in reshaping the squad—keeping only those who can deliver under Amorim’s rigid tactical structure.
