Man United set to trim squad in effort to save £80 million in wages

Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick will take charge of his last game for the club on Sunday, as they travel to London to face Crystal Palace. 

The German is set to take a step back at the end of the season, taking up a consultancy role, while Erik ten Hag will succeed him.

Ten Hag, who recently guided Ajax to another Eredivisie title, will be tasked with improving United’s underperforming squad in a bid to challenge for the top four next term.

With that in mind, it appears that the Dutchman will be met with something of an exodus when he arrives in Manchester.

As per The Daily Star, United are hopeful of wiping as much as £80 million from their annual wage bill this summer.

The vast majority will be made up of the salaries of departing players such as Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard, who will all leave the club when their contracts expire this summer.

Pogba has played his final game for Manchester United

Cavani and Pogba are believed to earn a combined total in excess of £500,000-per-week at present, and their departures will undoubtedly free up some cash.

Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata will also leave when their deals run out, but United could consider selling some other squad members in order to raise funds.

Ten Hag is set to be ruthless in terms of selling first team players this summer, with the likes of Anthony Martial, Erik Bailly, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dean Henderson all allowed to leave to generate further income.

As well as commanding transfer fees, the sales of the likes of Wan-Bissaka, Henderson, Bailly and Martial, as well as Phil Jones, could save the Red Devils almost £650,000-per-week on wages.

United will then look to the transfer market for replacements for the departures, although is has also been rumoured that the club will prioritise free agents this summer in a bid to save money and recruit on the cheap.