Manchester United has long struggled with the art of offloading players, a critical aspect of modern football management. As the 2025 summer transfer window approaches its September 1 deadline, the club's inability to maximize value from outgoing transfers is once again under scrutiny.

The Challenge of Offloading Players

United's recent history is marred by significant financial losses on player transfers. Notable examples include Angel Di Maria and Romelu Lukaku, who were sold at a loss. The club's only profitable sale since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 was Daniel James, who was sold to Leeds United for £25 million after being signed for £15 million.

Current Transfer Window Dynamics

This summer, United has spent nearly £200 million on new signings but has yet to raise any funds from player departures. Players like Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Antony have been on the market for months, but no deals have materialized. The club aims to raise around £120 million from departures, but with the deadline looming, this target seems increasingly ambitious.

Comparisons with Rivals

In contrast, Liverpool and Manchester City have successfully offloaded players for significant profits. Liverpool raised £70 million from the departures of homegrown players, while City banked £60 million from selling James McAtee, Yan Couto, and Máximo Perrone. These clubs have demonstrated smart financial management, something United desperately needs to emulate.

The Road Ahead

With new leadership in place, including director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, United has an opportunity to overhaul its transfer strategy. The next two weeks will be crucial in determining whether the club can turn its fortunes around and compete effectively with its Premier League rivals.

Conclusion

Manchester United's ability to offload players efficiently will be a key factor in its future success. The club must learn from its past mistakes and adopt a more strategic approach to player transfers to remain competitive in the ever-evolving Premier League landscape.