Manchester United are facing a £66m shortfall in their summer transfer budget after failing to secure expected player sales. Only Rasmus Hojlund has been sold for £38m, while the potential exits of Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, and Manuel Ugarte could have raised around £104m in total.
Sales Shortfall
Hojlund's move to Napoli was triggered by Champions League qualification. Barcelona had an option to sign Rashford for £26m but declined in favour of Anthony Gordon. United had hoped the sale would be pure profit and remove Rashford's £325,000-per-week wages.
Onana was expected to leave for around £20m to avoid a PSR loss, but Trabzonspor, who had him on loan, could not finance a permanent deal. Instead, United agreed another loan with a small £1.3m fee, with the Turkish club covering his wages.
Ugarte Injury Blow
Manuel Ugarte's sale was also anticipated, possibly for £20m, aided by a strong World Cup showing. However, he was carried off with a serious injury during Uruguay's match against Spain. He described it on social media as "the most serious injury a footballer can face," suggesting an ACL tear. Surgery earlier this month means he will miss most of the campaign, ending any transfer hopes.
Impact on Recruitment
The lack of sales leaves a black hole in the accounts, limiting further incomings. United still have spending scope, but the extra £66m would have allowed overpaying for a dream target like Aurelien Tchouameni. However, a United source in Trondheim indicated a deal for the Frenchman is not currently realistic due to cost.
United aim to improve their selling record, having struggled to profit from departures over the past decade. Last summer's smart signings showed progress, but the next step is better sales. The board has started by being tougher in negotiations and avoiding panic buys, though results will take time.
