As the transfer window nears to a close this Friday evening, Manchester United are now focused on their outgoings rather than incomings once the £50 million Manuel Ugarte deal gets ratified.
The Red Devils have had a busy summer so far, signing four established first-team profiles, with the fifth being Ugarte, on long-term deals that will bolster the club’s quality considerably.
Since INEOS’ arrival, there has been a clear change in direction from pursuing the 30+ year old market on enormous wages, but perhaps winding down, and instead going for a younger player with something to prove.
Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both fit into this category, who were sold by FC Bayern Munich in a very public fashion. It was clear they were not in the club’s plans moving forward and so Manchester United acted quickly to get the deals over the line.
What has been a pleasant surprise, especially in the cases of de Ligt and Ugarte, 25 and 23, is the two players’ willingness to join Manchester United past their wages. It has been reported that the Dutch international has even taken a wage cut to arrive at Old Trafford, which speaks volumes at the type of project being presented to the players – and coaching staff – moving forward.
Fans can be happy with the direction of travel that INEOS have shown so far in their first transfer window. They have been ruthless in culling players that will not be of use to them long-term, while also receiving a higher level of transfer fee than previously shown.
However, as the clock ticks down, Manchester United still have business to do. Namely in the shape of Jadon Sancho, who might have been reintegrated into Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad, but looks certain to leave after the Dutch boss has scarcely used him.
It is clear there has been a monumental breakdown in trust between the pair, with the club accepting the fate and trying to find a competitive solution for the Englishman.
In recent days, there has been a concrete level of interest from both Chelsea FC and Juventus. The London-based club would like to swap Raheem Sterling for Sancho but, as of now, Manchester United’s management team would prefer a full sale that guarantees cash now and in the future.
This is why Juventus is the most likely option, who are offering a loan plus an option to purchase which turns into a mandatory obligation once certain performance-related measures hit. However, unlike other loan deals, these parameters are easier to achieve and make it incredibly likely to materialise into a permanent deal.
Since arriving in 2021 for £70 million, Sancho has failed to stamp down his place in the Man United team, which has resulted in him being loaned out last January to old club Borussia Dortmund to rediscover form.
Whether it is down to Sancho looking half a step off the pace or not really aligned with what Manchester United are, the former England international has seldom put in a performance that warrants the kind of money the Red Devils have put down for him.
It is the best decision for ten Hag and also the club to severe ties permanently with Sancho. It has become increasingly clear that he is not going to deliver upon his potential shown at Old Trafford, and so all paths lead to one eventuality of a permanent move away.
Just like Antony is struggling now, Sancho is not the first nor won’t be the last to have found the cauldron of Old Trafford a difficult place to perform. Manchester United are making the correct decision in trying to recoup the outlay spent on him.