This possible 2025/26 Manchester United starting and backup XI, below, looks like the mad creation of a Fantasy Football Manager, but it serves to illustrate what could be possible this summer without United spending a single penny over their budget.
Calling it a “net zero” spend is not technically accurate as the kitty we are working with includes the £100 million that United have reportedly allocated to the transfer budget before any outgoing transfers or sell-on bonuses are taken into account, but with this sum already allocated, it is effectively a break-even scenario.
We have a fairly good idea of how much United are likely to get for certain player sales and sell-ons this summer, which includes:
- Marcus Rashford – £40m
- Antony – £40m
- Jadon Sancho – £25m
- Alvaro Carreras sell-on (Benfica to Real Madrid) – £20m
Alejandro Garnacho will also be sold, and while United were hoping for a figure of around £60 million, we are conservatively estimating £40m, with Antony, too, potentially attracting that amount as a minimum figure.
Mason Greenwood is also likely to move on from Olympique Lyonnais, with £20 million being a conservative estimate of how much United will recoup from the sell-on clause.
Reports have suggested both goalkeepers, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, will be sold and that there is a willingness to sell Rasmus Hojlund, with interest from Serie A. Again, conservative estimates for these three sales are £20m for Onana, £10m for Bayindir and £20m for Hojlund.
Added to the initial transfer kitty, this means United could have £335 million to spend to break even.
The two goalkeepers could be replaced by World Cup winner Emi Martinez, who is leaving Aston Villa and has a £40m price tag, and talented youngster Joan Garcia of Espanyol, whose asking price is £25 million.
Despite the departures of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, there is plenty of cover in the centre back area, so we do not foresee any incomings. Ayden Heaven could be fast-tracked to the starting XI with Lisandro Martinez coming back in the autumn as an alternative. With Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt also starting, Mazraoui, Maguire and Shaw can provide backup.
United could look to sign another specialist wing back this summer. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is available for £45 million. Patrick Dorgu can play either flank and Amad is likely to be repurposed as a wing back, so with Diogo Dalot as a more defensive option, and the likes of Harry Amass and Jayden Kamason coming through, that position should be well covered.
Unless Kobbie Mainoo or Casemiro are sold, one addition in central midfield should suffice. One option is the insanely gifted Chris Rigg of Sunderland, who could play alongside Bruno Fernandes. His asking price is said to be £40 million. Manu Ugarte, Mainoo, Casemiro, Toby Collyer and Sekou Koné are all backup options.
In attack, United look poised to sign Wolves’ Matheus Cunha for £62 million. Another value for money attacking midfielder who is on the market is Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, whose asking price is just £33m. Josh Zirkzee and Mason Mount are the rotation options, with Amad, Mainoo and Fernandes also capable of playing higher up if required.
This leaves enough money for two strikers, one already proven world class and one with the potential to get there. Victor Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli for around £60 million and Ipswich’s Liam Delap has a release clause of £30 million.
The exciting Chido Obi is also expected to play a big role in attack as well.
The total purchase price of these players is exactly the same as the total expected to be available with all the sales mentioned.
Of course, this is pie-in-the-sky stuff but a huge turnover is almost certain this summer even if it is not these particular players who sign for United. Whoever ends up coming and going, expect to see one of the biggest overhauls in the club’s history, with many talented stars following Cunha through the door.
Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
