Man Utd could seek transfer bargains after £429m debts revealed… with this XI Solskjaer can pinch for FREE this summer
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MANCHESTER UNITED are contemplating a very different transfer market this summer - against the backdrop of fast rising debt.
Expensive acquisitions such as Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham - rated at £100million, £70m and £50m respectively - are set to be put on hold.
Ed Woodward has already admitted that big names are off the agenda for the window ahead and matters became more serious when the club's finances were made public.
A rapid £127.4m increase in debt to a total of £429m revealed the impact of the coronavirus crisis and United's lack of Champions League football.
However Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still feel that his squad needs improving this summer.
The interest in Sancho and Grealish underlined a real lack of creativity in the attack, where January signing Bruno Fernandes has only just begun to turn the tide.
Furthermore the desire to solidify the defence is strong with Kalidou Koulibaly previously hoped for as a purchase from Napoli costing as much as £70m.
Instead, free agents may become the most desired assets in this year's market.
A spate of experienced players are due to come on the market when the season ends, should their clubs feel that keeping them around amid the circumstances is not worth it.
In attack, Chelsea's Willian is due to become available amid the Blues' refusal to hand the 31-year-old a three-year deal.
Napoli's negotiations with Dries Mertens are ongoing amid interest from Chelsea and Inter Milan.
The Belgian, just like Edinson Cavani and Mario Gotze, certainly fits the bill of providing an attacking stop-gap before United can get back on their feet financially.
Given that it is impossible to see David Silva or Adam Lallana land at Old Trafford when their contract expires this summer, the Red Devils may have to look further down the table for Premier League experience.
Ryan Fraser has shown that he can cut it at the top-level ahead of his Bournemouth exit while Jeff Hendrick can be an unglamorous-yet-effective addition to Solskjaer's engine room.
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Likewise, Spurs veteran Jan Vertonghen still has plenty to offer and could become a strong rotation option at United.
Paris Saint-Germain full-backs Layvin Kurzawa and Thomas Meunier are two other well-versed defenders set to become free agents this summer.
And a star of the future is also ready to enter the market with Nice star Malang Sarr, 21, confirming he will not extend his contract at the Ligue 1 club.