Exclusive: Man United ready to sell academy sensation to escape PSR blow
Manchester United are keen to sell one of their academy sensations this month to strengthen their profit and sustainability (PSR) position, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League giants’ latest accounts for 2023-24 revealed they generated a club-record revenue of £661.8million despite recording a net loss of £113.2million across the same period.
That meant they were close to the spending limit last season, with top-flight sides only permitted to make £105million of losses over a rolling three-year period.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been looking to cut costs since taking over the footballing operations at Old Trafford in February last year.
Man United’s PSR position has, however, taken a hit in recent months after spending around £30million on redundancy payments paid out to former members of staff and the costs associated with appointing Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Sources have told Football Insider Old Trafford chiefs are keen to sell an academy player this month to ease their PSR concerns as those costs are understood to have taken them close to the spending limit again this season.
Alejandro Garnacho most likely to complete Man United exit
Marcus Rashford, 27, Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Alejandro Garnacho, 20, have all been linked with an exit over the past few weeks.
United are open to selling Rashford after the forward made it clear last month he’s ready for a new challenge, but a deal has so far failed to materialise due to his high wage demands.
Mainoo and Garnacho were previously regarded by the club’s hierarchy as not for sale, with plans believed to be in place to build around them for the future.
Manchester Evenings News reported on 7 January Mainoo, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, is unhappy with the initial terms he’s been offered for a new contract.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider United are likely to agree a deal with the England international as it would send the wrong message to sell him.
Garnacho has now emerged as the most likely candidate to leave Old Trafford permanently this month, with the academy product’s potential sale earning the club a pure profit.
Napoli are the latest side to express an interest in the Argentina international, but United are understood to be looking for a fee in excess of £50million for his services.
The winger has struggled for regular minutes lately despite registering eight goals and five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions this season.
Amorim’s side currently sit 13th in the Premier League table after their 3-1 home defeat against Brighton meant they have now won just one of their past six league games.
In other news, Man City could be about to “ruin Man United’s Marcus Rashford plan”.
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