It is believed that the Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has not only concerned about bringing players to United, but the Dutchman is equally busy with the attempt to let some players out of Old Trafford.
National Daily understands that United are frantically involved with the attempt to improve their squad before next week’s deadline, with the club believed to be working on a £79million move for Ajax winger Antony who has been reported to have agreed a five-year deal with the Red Devils as well as looking to bring in a new back-up striker.
But National Daily can confirm that it is not only new signings that are taking up Ten Hag’s time, with the former Ajax boss also keen to trim his squad over the coming days.
United have an enormous roster of players, particularly in defence and the club is understood to be looking on how to shift players off the wage bill – even if it means accepting a big loss.
National Daily gathered that United have agreed to a season-long loan deal with Marseille for Eric Bailly which includes a mandatory buy clause if the French side qualify for the Champions League or he plays a certain number of games.
The Ivory Coast international’s wages will be covered in full by Marseille and they will be able to purchase him for a fee of around £6m – a massive loss on the £30m United paid six years ago.
According to the report by The Telegraph, Bailly is not the only player Ten Hag is willing to let go in a cut-price deal, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe all set to leave in the coming days.
Wan-Bissaka has been heavily linked with a return to old club Crystal Palace and could cost just £10m – a £40m loss compared to what United paid just three years ago.
But even at that price point, Palace are dragging their heels, with the Eagles preferring to re-sign the right-back on loan with the option to buy him outright at the end of the season.
Should Wan-Bissaka leave, there had been suggestions that Williams would take on the role of back-up to Diogo Dalot, but the 21-year-old is also expected to be offloaded either on loan or on a permanent deal.
That would require United to bring in another right-back to offer cover and competition and there is a possibility they could make a very late swoop for Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier.
Jones, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to DC United where old team-mate Wayne Rooney is in charge, while Tuanzebe has some interest from bottom-half Premier League sides including Bournemouth.
In terms of incomings, United are looking to bring in a new No.2 goalkeeper – with Kevin Trapp and Yann Sommer both linked – as well as a back-up striker, while they are continuing talks with Ajax over winger Antony.