The summer sun over Old Trafford feels colder this year. With a new era dawning under Ruben Amorim and INEOS, Manchester United face a reckoning: who should Manchester United sell to rebuild, generate funds, and reshape the squad’s character? The Red Devils are at a crossroads—maintain faith in aging stars or press the reset button. Below, KorKick will cut through the noise and analyze exactly which players United should be willing to part ways with, why, and how those sales might reshape their future.
The context: Why United must sell
Before naming names, it’s crucial to understand the forces pushing these decisions.
- Financial constraints & ambition. After mediocre seasons and missing out on European revenues, United must be prudent. Big sales will likely fund acquisitions.
- Squad imbalance. Ageing players, redundant positions, and mismatches with Amorim’s ideal system demand trimming.
- Contract issues & value peaks. Some players are nearing contract ends or are past their peak; selling them now may maximize return before decline sets in.
- Cultural reset. Some personalities and reputations have become distractions—this summer offers a chance to reset standards.
With that in mind, here are the prime candidates United should strongly consider sanctioning an exit.
Must-sell candidates
These are players whose sale or departure makes strategic sense now.
Casemiro
Casemiro remains a world-class competitor, but his age and enormous wage burden make him a prime candidate for sale. Reports suggest United view shifting Casemiro as “extremely sensible business” to create room for a younger midfield spine.¹ While he still contributes on the pitch, the long-term plan demands a move.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho’s return. He doesn’t fit Amorim’s tactical blueprint, and United are reportedly open to letting him leave permanently.² His high wages, inconsistent performances, and lack of chemistry with the squad all point to a clean break.
Alejandro Garnacho
Though beloved by fans, Garnacho’s fractious relationship with the coaching staff and rumors of conflict mean United may cash in. He was transferred to Chelsea in 2025 for around £40 million.³ Letting him go is painful, but if loyalty costs cohesion, it’s a trade-off United may accept.
Antony
Antony’s tenure at United was plagued by under-performance and off-field drama. He’s already moved to Real Betis, reflecting the club’s judgment: a high-priced signing who failed to deliver.⁴ United should consider the loss as a lesson and avoid repeating such misfires.
Victor Lindelöf & Jonny Evans
With both defenders off the books or nearing exits, parting with them is rational. Lindelöf left for Aston Villa; Evans has retired.⁵ Their departures free up wages and open space for younger defensive options.
Christian Eriksen
Eriksen’s contract expired, and he departed as a free agent.⁶ Still, he serves as a reminder that even seasoned midfielders who once offered stability have limitations in a rebuild.
Joshua Zirkzee
Zirkzee has struggled to break into the core of the squad and is reportedly available for loan or sale.⁷ He may find a better fit elsewhere, helping United reduce squad congestion up front.
Don’t-sell list: players to retain for now
While cutting deadwood is vital, certain players should be retained—they offer value, potential, or alignment with the club’s vision.
- Bruno Fernandes & Manuel Ugarte. The midfield leadership and energy they bring are central to the rebuild.
- Kobbie Mainoo. As a young, rising talent, his growth trajectory should be protected.
- Benjamin Šeško & Matheus Cunha. New signings with potential to lead the attack; flipping them would send a weak message.
- Goalkee. While André Onana’s form is under scrutiny, United need stability here and must judge any potential swap carefully.
Sales strategy & timing
Just knowing who should Manchester United sell isn’t enough; how and when these sales happen is equally critical.
- Prioritize contract expiries. Players whose contracts are ending yield no value; selling before expiry is essential.
- Stagger departures. Offloading too many in one window risks destabilizing the squad. United should aim for a phased exit strategy.
- Leverage buy–back or sell-on clauses. For promising talents, United can negotiate future benefits even as they make tough sales.
- Reinvest smartly. Sales must correspond with targeted acquisitions in areas of weakness (full-back, center-forward, central midfield).
Risks and counterarguments
Selling so many high-profile names isn’t without risk. Critics may argue:
- Loss of experience and leadership in dressing room.
- Fan backlash for selling “homegrown legends.”
- Dependence on unproven youth or new signings to step up immediately.
However, these risks are real but surmountable if the rebuild is executed with clarity, vision, and patience.
Conclusion
Who should Manchester United sell? The list includes Casemiro, Sancho, Garnacho, Antony, Lindelöf, Evans, Eriksen, and Zirkzee. Making these moves would free up space, wages, and momentum for the next chapter.
As the rebuild begins, KorKick urges you to stay tuned—watch how United manage departures and arrivals. Share your views: which name surprises you most, and who would you rather stick around?
