Manchester United are reportedly planning to offload more than ten players permanently this summer
Manchester United, currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League as of early April 2025, are facing a turbulent season that has sparked a major shake-up behind the scenes. With results on the pitch failing to meet expectations, the club is preparing for a significant overhaul, aiming to restore competitiveness and reduce its bloated wage bill. Reports from the Manchester Evening News and the Daily Mail suggest that as many as ten players could depart Old Trafford this summer, including high-profile names like Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and Tom Heaton.
Rashford, a product of United’s academy and currently on loan at Aston Villa, has shown glimpses of revival with four assists in nine games. Villa have a £40 million option to make his move permanent, and given United’s intention to raise funds, a full transfer seems increasingly probable. Sancho, who is on loan at Chelsea, could also depart permanently, with the London club obliged to purchase him for £20–25 million if they finish 14th or higher. If they choose to opt out, they would still be required to pay a £5 million penalty.
Meanwhile, Antony has been performing well at Real Betis, contributing four goals and four assists in 11 games. United are open to offloading the Brazilian, who cost them £85 million in 2022, but would need to fetch at least £32.5 million to avoid losses under Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Casemiro, United’s top earner at £350,000 a week, is another likely exit. The 33-year-old’s form has dipped, and United may accept as little as £15 million just to get his wages off the books.
Eriksen, whose deal ends in June, has already indicated he’s ready for a new chapter and will likely depart on a free transfer. Lindelof and Evans are also expected to leave when their contracts expire. Lindelof has been largely sidelined, while Evans, now 37, is anticipated to retire. Similarly, 38-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who hasn’t featured at all this season, is also likely to hang up his gloves.
Altogether, the anticipated clear-out could bring in up to £129 million, not to mention the significant savings in player salaries. These resources will be channeled into strengthening the squad, with a top striker being a key priority. Rasmus Hojlund, signed for £72 million in 2023, has gone 20 games without scoring, casting doubts on his future. United have identified Udinese’s 24-year-old Lorenzo Lucca as a potential replacement, with Ipswich’s Liam Delap, valued at £40 million, also under consideration.
Beyond the forward line, the club is eyeing reinforcements in multiple areas. Names like Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff have emerged as potential targets. This rebuild is being orchestrated under the watch of United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has publicly criticized the club’s previous spending on players like Casemiro, Antony, and Sancho, calling them overpriced or underwhelming. His INEOS-led vision centers on sustainable growth, data-driven recruitment, and investing in younger, high-potential players.
Still, the scale of the revamp poses risks. Shedding experienced figures like Rashford, Casemiro, and Eriksen could leave a leadership void in the dressing room, while relying on relatively untested names such as Lucca and Delap introduces uncertainty. Fans have been split online—some see the moves as a necessary reset, while others worry that losing too many senior players without solid replacements could further destabilize the team.
With the summer window fast approaching, Manchester United’s ability to strike the right balance between exits and arrivals will be critical. For Amorim, this is a defining moment. The success of this transformation could either lay the foundation for a modernized, more effective United—or deepen the crisis that has already engulfed the club’s 2024–25 campaign.
