Man United are set to allow both Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial to leave this summer, freeing up the wage budget significantly.
The first order of business for INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is to clear the decks and effectively wipe the slate clean. That’s easier said than done, given the huge wages that some of these players are on.
No doubt United’s problems stem from their past mistakes. For too long, this club has overpaid players, making them unattractive options for other potential suitors. Eventually, it leads to their contracts winding down and these guys leaving for nothing.
That scenario is set to play out again this summer, according to ESPN. They’re claiming that United are set to free up a huge £450,000-a-week this summer, as a star duo ‘will leave’ as free agents when their contracts expire.
Both Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are set to depart, with United unwilling to hand the pair fresh terms.
The news on Martial is nothing new, nor should it be surprising. The attacker has barely played over the last couple of years, with injuries seriously derailing his career. I’d genuinely forgotten he was still at the club recently, which should tell you everything you need to know.
A talented player? Unquestionably. However, his attitude has always been far from ideal. The fact that he hasn’t developed at all since making the move to Manchester almost a decade ago should tell you everything you need to know. It makes complete sense to get him off the books for good.
Varane’s situation is slightly different. He’s still a high-level centre-half who I’d love to keep at the club if he could stay fit. The problem? He cannot play more than one game a week without going down with some sort of issue.
Availability is reliability. He’s on massive wages and approaching the business end of his career. The last thing United need is another player who cannot stay fit. While it’d be sad to see him go. It’s the correct decision.
Do you think this is the correct decision by Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
Be the first to comment