The five players Manchester United must sell this summer – including £50m midfield flop

After years of seemingly ceaseless rebuilding, Manchester United might have a relatively relaxed summer ahead of them. There should be continuity in the dugout, with Michael Carrick seemingly set to take the head coach’s job full-time, and aside from the evident need to replace Casemiro and add some depth in defence and attack, they have something resembling a settled squad.

Save, that is, for a handful of players whose time at Old Trafford has surely come to an end. Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund may be signed permanently by Barcelona and Napoli respectively, but beyond that there are at least five players that United need to move on in order to raise the funds (and clear the space on the wage bill) to sign the players they need to turn recent progress into something more permanent. Fail to find buyers for most or all of these players, and the summer may still prove to be problematic…

Manuel Ugarte

When he was making his name in Portugal, Ugarte looked like a first-rate defensive midfielder – dynamic, destructive and tireless. Quite what’s happened since is anybody’s guess, but after signing the Uruguayan from PSG for a fee rising to £50m, he’s been a significant disappointment.

The impending midfield refresh would be a necessity regardless of Ugarte’s form, but he’s provided a poor impression of Casemiro when called upon and it was telling that Carrick preferred Mason Mount in a deeper role against Sunderland when the Brazilian wasn’t available. Ugarte is unwanted and untrusted, and it’s hard to build a case for his continued inclusion in the squad. His reported £120,000 per week wages make him too expensive to serve simply as a warm body who offers a bit of extra depth.

That salary will also make him difficult to shift. Elite sides won’t be interested in Ugarte, and the teams that could be keen are unlikely to stump up quite so much. United may have to accept the necessity of selling Ugarte at a dizzying loss, but getting him off the books is probably a necessity.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another player who has struggled to live up to his billing. Zirkzee cost United £36.5m after an impressive season for Bologna, but scoring on his debut against Fulham last August proved to be about as good as it got for the Dutchman.

A player who always seemed like a awkward fit, Zirkzee had flourished in a hybrid role in Serie A but never looked like the traditional number nine that the Red Devils wanted him to be. Juventus, Napoli and AC Milan are all rumoured to be interested in rekindling his career in Italy, and United will be well served by taking what cash they can get and moving on.

Another striker will be a necessary addition this summer with Benjamin Šeško the only other recognised nine in the squad, but Zirkzee has looked no more effective as a back-up than he did as a starter under Erik ten Hag. United are likely to cut bait and take a financial hit here, but at least there’s likely to be interest.

Jadon Sancho

While Sancho has impressed in patches at Aston Villa he hasn’t nailed down a starting role and there’s no purchase clause in the loan deal which sent him to Villa Park – and no indications that Unai Emery is likely to push to bring the 26-year-old back on a full-time basis as it stands.

The good news is that United have an easy out here. Sancho’s contract expires at the end of June and while the club have an option to extend it for another year, they can take the easy way out and let him leave on a free transfer rather than activating the extension and trying to find a buyer. His wages – rumoured to be as high as £200,000 per week – make that a very tough sell indeed.

The most likely scenario is that he simply leaves, another expensive mistake made during the Glazers’ tenure as owners. Not ideal from a financial perspective, but moving on is essential and the risk that he would wind up being stuck on the books far too high to try anything clever in the hope of raising funds.

Amad Diallo

Amad has been given an extended opportunity to prove himself worthy of a long-term place in the Manchester United squad this season – and in truth, simply hasn’t done enough to take it. Two goals and two assists from 30 Premier League appearances simply hasn’t cut the mustard.

He has enough pace and raw talent to make him appealing to sides a little lower down the table, and Sunderland are reportedly looking at the possibility of bringing him back to the Stadium of Light following a successful loan spell back in the 2022/23 season. A price tag of £50m has been floated, a considerable sum for his production but which reflects his long contract.

A recent report from TEAMtalk suggests that United plan to keep Amad around, but that would seem like a curious decision if the Black Cats are willing to shell out that much. The Ivorian hasn’t earned a starting role going forward, and has missed far too many presentable chances to be considered trustworthy. The only justification for keeping him would be that teams just aren’t willing to reach the required price point.

André Onana

The former first-choice goalkeeper, who has spent the season in Turkey with Trabzonspor, still has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford but doesn’t seem likely to figure in the club’s plans going forward – meaning that finding someone to take him off the club’s hands will be a priority for the summer.

Senne Lammens has had a respectable (if not necessarily overwhelmingly convincing) debut season between the sticks and United may well want to bring in some competition for the young Belgian, but ESPN report that Onana won’t be a factor in any debate about who takes the gloves for the 2026/27 campaign. His time at United is coming to an end.

As with Ugarte, the question is simply who will take him given his wages. Teams in Turkey and Italy have been tentatively linked with a move, but a loan deal seems more likely given that he is unlikely to get anything close to his £120,000 weekly wage should he leave on a permanent basis. Whatever the eventual solution, keeping Onana on the books makes precious little sense.