Sources: Ratcliffe’s £30m Man United January plan revealed – £6m banked after another deal agreed
Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to cut wages at Man United by over £30million over the January transfer window, Football Insider can reveal.
The Red Devils dropped their wage bill down to £331million in their 2022/23 accounts, but their Champions League qualification last season will have triggered bonuses that will increase the figure for 2023/24.
United recorded a loss of £42million last season and Ratcliffe is eager to implement stricter cost controls at Old Trafford following his takeover.
The Manchester club are expected to offload several players in January to balance their books while other stars have been told to cut their salary if they plan to stay.
It was confirmed on Tuesday (2 January) that United have activated a break clause in their loan deal with Sergio Reguilon that sees the Spaniard return to Tottenham.
United were paying the entirety of Reguilon’s £120,000 per week wage during his loan, meaning his six-month stay cost a total of £3.1million.
Donny van de Beek has also left the club on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt and reports state United are paying 40 percent of his £125,000 per week wages.
Reguilon and Van de Beek’s exit have already cut over £6million off the annual wage bill.
Former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane is into the final six months of his £340,000 per week contract at Old Trafford and the club are only prepared to offer him a new deal if he agrees to a significant pay cut.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (30 December) that United are prepared to accept offers to let Varane leave in January.
The French defender’s wages see him earn £17.6million per year, making him one of the club’s highest earners.
Jadon Sancho is another high-earner that United want off their wage bill as soon as possible.
The 23-year-old has fallen out with manager Erik ten Hag but continues to collect his £350,000 per week wage.
As revealed by Football Insider, the Red Devils are struggling to find suitors for Sancho with his wages proving to be a hurdle.
A loan deal for the frozen-out winger could be on the cards where United pay a portion of Sancho’s £18.2million-a-year salary.
Overall, Ratcliffe intends to cut over £30million from the wage bill this month to balance the books and free up space for arrivals in the summer.
In other news, Kieran Maguire says Man United fans will love new behind-the-scenes ban introduced by Ratcliffe