Manchester United are reportedly looking to sell Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho during the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag is prepared to be harsh in the January transfer window, with the Manchester United manager eager to offload high-earning players in order to make a place for new ones.
Ten Hag has been under intense pressure as United manager in recent weeks, and he is prepared to be harsh when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday relieved some of the strain, but the Dutchman knows that long-term success will require him to rebuild his squad.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will shortly take over as United’s sporting director, with his £1.3 billion agreement for a quarter stake in the club awaiting approval.
According to The Independent, Ten Hag is eager to make a statement by listening to bids for high-profile players such as Casemiro, Sancho, and Varane.
A move for Sancho during the transfer window is not surprising, given that the £73m winger is presently out of Ten Hag’s team following a public squabble. However, claims that former Real Madrid duo Casemiro and Varane have been transfer listed indicate a shift in United’s strategy.
United paid £60 million to recruit Casemiro from Real Madrid in August 2022, signing him to a four-year contract paying £300,000 per week. He was heralded as a game-changer in his debut season, but he has struggled at times this season and is presently out injured.
Ratcliffe, who has previously chastised Manchester United for investing “dumb money” on players, singled out Casemiro at meetings with the club’s hierarchy earlier this year.
The INEOS billionaire would rather that the club seek younger players with more potential and resale value.
Varane joined United for £34 million from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 and has struggled to remain fit during his time at the club. According to Ten Hag, he has not started since the 1-0 win over Copenhagen on October 24 and missed the win over Chelsea due to a bad back.
The trio are among United’s highest-earning players, and Ten Hag recently dismissed the notion of the club making multiple acquisitions in January, claiming that the club must first sell.
They spent more than £170 million in the summer to recruit Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana, while they spent more than £200 million in the summer of 2022 to sign Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia.
