In order to fund their midfield rebuild, Manchester United are planning on making a minimum of four permanent sales this summer.
Manchester United’s midfield wishlist is starting to become clearer ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Adam Wharton at the top of the shopping list.
United could have a £200m budget this summer if they qualify for the Champions League, but that figure also depends on making four sales from the first team.
The first is the permanent sale of Rasmus Hojlund for £38m – Napoli have already made it clear they want to sign the Danish striker permanently, so that is one of the four deals already done.
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Four Man Utd players Ineos want to sell this summer
Alongside Hojlund, Marcus Rashford has a £26m buy clause attached to his Barcelona loan deal.
Barcelona want to sign Rashford permanently and United are standing firm on their £26m valuation. Even if Rashford returns in the summer, Ineos are confident there will be buyers in the market for the English forward.
According to journalist Mike Keegan speaking on The United Stand, if the quartet of Onana, Zirkzee, Rashford and Hojlund are all sold, then it will pave the way for two midfield signings.
Reports suggest Andre Onana wants to revive his United career when he returns from his loan in the summer, but Senne Lammens has cemented the starting spot so the Cameroon international is likely to leave.
Joshua Zirkzee has struggled for game time this season, and he has fallen behind both Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo in the pecking order.
There is interest in Zirkzee from Serie A clubs, so United could look to offload the Dutchman before his valuation continues to fall.
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Man United can fund two mega midfield deals
If Ineos are successful in selling all four players, then it seems two high-profile midfielders could arrive at Old Trafford.
Strengthening the midfield is a priority, especially with Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte linked with an exit.
Anderson is United’s top target, but there is concrete interest in Tonali, Guimaraes and Wharton as well as younger targets like Ayyoub Bouaddi.
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If United can raise their projected £200m budget through Champions League qualification and sales, fans should expect multiple midfield signings.
Instead of choosing between the likes of Anderson or Tonali – both could yet join in the same summer.
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