How Man Utd can build enormous £169m transfer war chest to dominate summer window

Manchester United, in recent seasons, have felt a little like that Willy Wonka-inspired omnishambles in Glasgow that has gone viral over the past few days; plenty of promises have been made and broken, a whole lot of money has been spent on a whole lot of nothing, and the Red Devils have been left clutching the footballing equivalent of a single jelly bean while everybody laughs at them on the internet. We're about one step away from being told that there is an evil, masked Erik ten Hag who lives in the walls of Old Trafford and jump scares kids from behind free standing mirrors.

All of that could be about to change, however. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, like a chemical magnate Gene Wilder, has arrived at the club and is seemingly intent on hand-delivering United a golden ticket back to the big time. The billionaire has made it painfully and repeatedly clear that he wishes to revitalise an ailing dressing room during the summer transfer window, and while he is not exactly light in the old pockets, you suspect that a number of recognisable first team names could be offloaded to help facilitate his glorious revolution.

So with that in mind, come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination, as we speculate, together, on which United stars could be sold at the end of the season. Also, for the sake of uniformity, we're taking all our valuations from Transfermarkt. Consequently, if you must write a strongly-worded email to anybody on the topic of how they know nothing about football and are therefore undeserving of their job, please direct your ire towards them. Or better yet, just keep it to yourself. Cheers.

Victor Lindelof - £15.4 million

Lindelof has featured regularly for United this season, but that has been partially due to the near-endless array of defensive injuries that the Red Devils have had to contend with in recent months. With players to return, reinforcements likely, and his contract expiring next year, it would be no huge surprise to see him sold at the end of the campaign.

Raphael Varane - Free

Widespread reports suggest that United have opted against extending Varane's contract at Old Trafford, and given that his current deal is set to expire in the summer, he should be allowed to exit the club on a free transfer.

Brandon Williams - £3 million

Currently on loan with Ipswich Town in the Championship, it is easier to imagine him being off-loaded on a permanent basis in the coming months than it is to envisage him returning to Old Trafford and staking a claim for a regular first team spot.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - £17 million

Another whose contract expires in 2025, Wan-Bissaka is frequently touted for a departure, and if the Red Devils can bring in a suitable replacement, there is presumably no reason why they wouldn't sell to avoid losing him for on a free transfer in twelve months' time.

Antony - £30 million

A failed experiment if ever there was one, the Brazilian winger has done little at Old Trafford besides proving that there is frighteningly little difference between a casual spin and a downwards spiral.

Casemiro - £25.7 million

Perhaps a little shocking, but if various whispers are to be believed, then Casemiro could be sold this summer as part of Ratcliffe's anticipated clearing of the decks. Maybe some Saudi Pro League outfit with more money than sense can be shaken down for a hefty fee.

Jadon Sancho - £21.4 million

That apology doesn't look to be coming any time soon, does it? It would appear that any bridges between Sancho and Erik ten Hag have been thoroughly burnt, and with that in mind, a permanent exit doesn't feel out of the question in the slightest. Were the winger to stay in Dortmund, where he currently is, nobody would bat an eyelid.

Scott McTominay - £24 million

Will this finally be the transfer window in which McTominay leaves his boyhood club to fulfil his inevitable, prophetic destiny as a West Ham player under David Moyes? Only time will tell, but if he does go, he should fetch a pretty penny.

Mason Greenwood - £6.4 million

Manchester United have a very big, very thorny decision to make regarding Greenwood's future in the coming months. You would hope that decency prevails. If it does, he likely be let go for a heavily reduced fee.

Anthony Martial - Free

Fully expected to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, Martial is out of contract and out of favour at Old Trafford. At this stage, it would be more a surprise if he stays.

Donny van de Beek - £7.7 million

Van de Beek has endured a miserable stint at United, and once his current loan spell with Eintracht Frankfurt has come to an end, the most probable next step would be for him to find a permanent destination to continue his career elsewhere.

Alvaro Fernandez - £7.7 million

Currently on loan with Benfica, Fernandez will cost the Portuguese giants an obligatory fee once he has played a certain amount of matches for the club. Even if that doesn't happen, however, there is still a good chance he will be sold in the summer.

Hannibal Mejbri - £10.3 million

Hannibal's loan stint with Sevilla thus far has been tumultuous to say the least, but even if he doesn't sign for the Spanish outfit on a permanent basis, there is a possibility that he could be sold permanently in the coming months. Much less certain than others on this list, but still not wholly out of the question.