Manchester United’s squad value has been revealed amid speculation that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing a fire sale for the first team this summer, according to reports.
The Red Devils have had a difficult season under Erik ten Hag, with the team currently in sixth place and thirteen points clear of fourth-placed Aston Villa. A 1-1 draw at home to Burnley only put extra pressure on the Dutch boss.
United have also looked shaky in other poor results in the past month, including a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth and a nail-biting penalty shootout win over Championship side Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals – after surrendering a 3-0 lead and a 3-3 draw at Wembley.
These poor displays and underperformance from certain individuals – including Marcus Rashford and Casemiro – have resulted in reports that Ratcliffe is willing to put almost the entire squad up for sale, with the exception of three players.
Only three players – Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – have reportedly been spared from the chopping block, with Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler reporting that selling Rashford is a possibility.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing a clearout at Man United this summer, with only three players reportedly safe
Marcus Rashford is rated as the most valuable player in the squad at £106m
Alejandro Garnacho is third on £92m, while Antony is still worth £63m despite a tough season
And an examination of the CIES Football Observatory and BBC Sport has revealed how much United could get from their failing players, with Rashford topping the list at a surprising £106 million despite his disappointing performances this season.
Rashford has scored seven goals and two assists this season, with only four coming this calendar year. It is clear that United continue to believe in Rashford and want him to succeed after investing so heavily in him with a new contract.
The second most valuable is striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is worth £93m after joining the Red Devils from Atalanta for £72m last summer. Unlike many other disappointing players this season, the 21-year-old Danish star has looked more promising, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
Another promising United player, Alejandro Garnacho, sits third with a £92 million valuation after a season in which he scored nine times and provided four assists.
Talisman and captain Bruno Fernandes is worth just £60m according to CIES research, while fellow midfielder Scott McTominay is valued at £46m.
Joining Rashford in the more surprising valuations is Brazilian winger Antony, who has returned to the first team in recent months and is now rated at £63m, with full-back Diogo Dalot at £61m.
Despite his stellar performances and reputation as United’s talisman, captain Bruno Fernandes is worth just £60m, while rising star Kobbie Mainoo has an estimated £45m.
At the bottom of the pile are Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane with £11 million, Aaron Wan-Bissaka with £10 million and Christian Eriksen with £7 million.
Reports of the squad’s value come after Ratcliffe and club director Sir Dave Brailsford were spotted at dinner on Wednesday night amid talk of United chiefs plotting a major overhaul of the squad this summer.
There is enormous pressure on Erik ten Hag, who is fighting a battle to hold on to his position
Ratcliffe and Brailsford – alongside Jean-Claude Blanc, who would become the club’s interim CEO until July 13 – were spotted at The Ivy in Manchester during what was billed as a ‘working dinner’.
Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have made significant changes since taking charge of football operations at Old Trafford after the British billionaire bought a 27.7 percent stake in the club.
Ineos sporting director Brailsford has taken on a key role as part of the new regime at Man United, while Omar Berrada will take over as CEO this summer.
Jason Wilcox, who worked with Berrada at City as head of the club’s academy, has already moved from Southampton to take over as technical director from Darren Fletcher, although United are hoping the former Scotland midfielder can take on another role at the club. club will accept.
It is believed that the club are keen to sign a new striker, central midfielder and right-sided centre-back, but they may not be able to spend large sums as in recent years.