This summer, Manchester United will need to not only revamp their player roster, but also reduce their wage bill by potentially selling high-earning players such as Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. They may also entertain offers for Casemiro, Harry Maguire, or Victor Lindelof. If they were to part ways with these players, they could significantly reduce their annual wage bill, potentially saving up to £77million. However, it is important to consider that these figures are speculative. In team news, two key figures were absent from training. LUCKHURST suggests that emulating a previous player who wore the No.7 jersey could motivate Mount. There is much to think about, especially for Omar Berrada, the new CEO of United, who will be responsible for implementing the proper structure throughout the club. While Berrada’s role will not involve deciding how to spend the club’s money or which players to pursue, he will oversee negotiations and make sure United doesn’t pay too much for players. He will need to assess the value of potential signings and ensure the club stays true to their principles and avoids being exploited by paying excessive amounts. Prior to taking on his role at Old Trafford, he cautioned against the dangers of teams overpaying in the transfer market, leading to a downward spiral for the club. United has been experiencing a decline for the past ten years. Although they plan to reduce their wage bill this summer, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will be hesitant to spend the money in other ways. Berrada is willing to approve significant transactions as long as they are deemed to be cost-effective, as evidenced by his time at City. Last year, City made history by being the first British football club to exceed £400 million in annual wages, largely due to Erling Haaland’s staggering £45 million annual salary. United had spent £91.8 million less, however, this does not necessarily indicate that they had used the money wisely. According to Berrada, having a clear justification for offering a certain amount of money in terms of salary and commission can help in negotiations. Overpaying can weaken your position and make it harder to negotiate with future candidates. For a while now, United has been criticized for splurging on transfers and not having a clear long-term strategy in place. They will rapidly switch between various targets and ultimately spend more money than a player’s actual value.
