3 stars Man Utd could sell in January as Champions League exit causes cash issue
Manchester United are expected to listen to offers for Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Anthony Martial in the January transfer window.
The move comes after Erik ten Hag's side crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday following their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. The Red Devils won't even compete in the Europa League in February after finishing bottom of their group.
It's been a disappointing season for United, who suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in their most recent Premier League fixture. They are sixth in the table - 10 points behind leaders Liverpool. The two great rivals will face each other this Sunday.
United's disappointing European exit is expected to cost them £28million because of lost prize money, matchday revenue and broadcast income. Mirror Football understands club chiefs had budgeted for reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
As reported by The Telegraph, United are willing to cut the size of their squad following their European exit, having initially decided against doing any business in January. It's believed the three players who are most likely to leave are Varane, Casemiro and Martial.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the verge of buying a 25 per cent stake in United and will take charge of football operations once his deal is ratified shortly. He is expected to build a new squad, with the club approaching the 11th anniversary of their most recent league title.
United signed Varane, 30, from Real Madrid in a £41m deal in August 2021, but he's struggling for form and fitness since the move. The Frenchman has made just 54 Premier League appearances and slipped behind Harry Maguire in the pecking order.
Casemiro and Raphael Varane could be sold in January (Getty Images)Who do you think Manchester United should sell in January? Let us know in the comments below!
United also brought in Casemiro, 31, from Madrid in August 2022. The £70m signing made an instant impact at Old Trafford - helping them win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League last season - but is now striving for form and fitness.
Martial, 28, joined United from Monaco eight-and-a-half years ago for an initial £36m, which was a record transfer fee for a teenager. He's done well at times - scoring 23 goals during the 2019/20 campaign - but has found the net just 11 times since August 2021.
Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho could also leave Old Trafford next month (Getty Images)It's hard to see United getting much cash for Martial's services in January because he's out of contract at the end of the season. Yet multiple Champions League winners Varane and Casemiro remain big-name players for what they have achieved in the game.
Despite this, United will still have to take a financial hit if they decide to sell either Varane and Casemiro in January. The same is true about two other players who have fallen out of favour under Ten Hag: Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho.
Van de Beek, a £40m midfielder who arrived from Ajax in September 2020, is thought to be wanted by German side Eintracht Frankfurt and surprise La Liga leaders Girona. The 26-year-old has played just 21 minutes of football this season.
Sancho, 23, hasn't played for United since his public spat with Ten Hag after United's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in September. The winger remains a valuable asset, but it's hard to imagine any club reimbursing United the £73m they gave to Borussia Dortmund in July 2021.
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