Manchester United’s Strategy: Cut Wages and Revamp the Midfield for a Stronger Future

Manchester United is looking to enhance their midfield lineup in the upcoming summer transfer window, aiming to cut £1 million per week from their payroll. The idea is to reinvest these savings into younger, energetic players who can bring long-term benefits to manager Ruben Amorim’s team.

With high earners like Casemiro, Harry Maguire, and Jadon Sancho seeing their contracts expire, and the potential departure of Marcus Rashford—who currently earns £325,000 per week—if he moves to a club such as Barcelona, United sees a chance to drastically reduce player costs. According to sources, this financial leeway will enable the club to target essential signings that are key for their rebuild, overseen by director of football Jason Wilcox and Amorim.

United had previously shown interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleva, making initial inquiries in August, but the Seagulls have set a hefty £115 million price tag on the 21-year-old Cameroon international. Additionally, they remain keen on 21-year-old Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace and 24-year-old Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart.

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Even though United heavily relies on Brazilian star Casemiro, who will turn 34 in February, there are currently no intentions to bolster the midfield in January. The club is focused on the summer for pursuing its main goals.

This past summer, United invested £225 million in new players, adding forwards Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko into Amorim’s squad, alongside a loan for goalkeeper Senne Ramens. The squad recognized the need for midfield additions, but rejected Chelsea’s interest in Romeo Rabia amid concerns about the 21-year-old’s fitness as part of Alejandro Garnacho’s eventual £40 million transfer to Stamford Bridge, according to sources.

Despite easing budget restrictions following a series of departures in late August, United’s financial position limited further transfer activities. Moreover, January is unlikely to provide an opportunity for additional signings.

The club’s leadership feels that Manchester United is beginning to stabilize both on and off the pitch following a challenging 18 months marked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group taking over football operations from the Glazer family, resulting in over 400 job cuts at Old Trafford. However, missing out on European competition this season has cost the club at least £40 million in revenue. Nevertheless, the efficiency measures implemented by Ineos and the Glazers’ 25% wage cut for players during the absence from the Champions League have reduced United’s wages to their lowest since the 2017-18 season, totaling £295.9 million.

For the 2024-25 season, United’s payroll costs have decreased to £313 million, down from £364.7 million the previous year, but this figure is expected to drop further as new contracts incentivize performance while starting with lower base salaries.

Additionally, Sancho, Rashford, Casemiro, and Maguire could lead to even greater savings. Sancho’s £300,000-a-week salary will be eliminated when his contract concludes at the end of the season, symbolic of a troubling tenure at United. Since transferring from Borussia Dortmund for £71 million in 2021, Sancho has managed just 12 goals and six assists in 81 appearances. He is now on loan at Aston Villa after unsuccessful stints with Chelsea and Dortmund, making him one of the club’s most regrettable signings.

Rashford still has two-and-a-half years left on his £325,000-a-week deal, but after a recent loan to Barcelona, where he has an option for a permanent move for £30 million, a summer exit seems likely.

Contracts for Casemiro and Maguire are set to expire in June of next year, and both are among the club’s highest earners, with Casemiro earning £350,000 per week and Maguire £200,000. ESPN reports that United is open to renegotiating contracts with both players, but only under considerably reduced terms and incentives, making it uncertain if an agreement can be reached that satisfies everyone involved.

However, even if Casemiro and Maguire, aged 32, agree to cut their salaries significantly to remain at the club, United would still achieve around £1 million weekly in savings, totaling over £50 million annually by parting with Sancho and Rashford and offering substantially lower salaries to Casemiro and Maguire. With such savings, the club can afford to pay for two new midfielders, leveraging its strong revenue structure to cover transfer fees. Pursuing Valeva and Wharton could cost the club around £180 million, while Stiller is estimated at around £50 million.

Regardless of the outcomes in the upcoming transfer window, the era of Manchester United acquiring aging stars like Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Cristiano Ronaldo at exorbitant salaries has ended. The club is now focused on a more strategic approach to recruitment, aiming to spend wisely and already laying the groundwork for the next summer transfer window.