Eight players to leave Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe raises funds for £100m transfer

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Manchester United plan to part ways with eight players in order to seal a blockbuster Elliot Anderson transfer this summer. The Nottingham Forest star, who is valued at £100million, has been strongly linked to an Old Trafford switch with Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanting to raise funds for his addition by selling numerous players.

Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, Andre Onana and Marcus Rashford are all poised to be sold , according to The Sun . A minimum of £60million is being eyed for Hojlund and Rashford, given the buy-options in their loans to Napoli and Barcelona , respectively.

Significant losses are expected from Ugarte and Zirkee however, while it is claimed United require £19million for Onana to avoid a blow when it comes to complying with profit and sustainability rules. Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Casemiro departing as free agents will also free up funds on the wage bill.

The latter's departure has already been confirmed, with the hope being that Anderson will arrive as his replacement. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes and Carlos Baleba are other midfielders to have been linked.

Anderson appears to be the top choice for United, but they will likely be battling for his signature, with Manchester City , who are facing the prospect of losing Rodri within the next few trading periods. Strengthening midfield is United's clear priority regardless of who takes permanent charge with two signings likely if Ugarte joins Casemiro in leaving the club.

Securing Champions League football will be crucial to having enough money for that transfer plan. United currently sit third in the Premier League table and are therefore in a great position to be back among Europe's elite next season with five teams set to qualify through league position.

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The international break and FA Cup quarter-finals means it will have been 24 days between the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and United's clash with Leeds United on Monday, April 13.

Bruno Fernandes will be looking to make it five consecutive games with a goal contribution with the 31-year-old in sensational form. Alongside signing a Casemiro replacement, United may soon have to look at bringing in a successor to Fernandes.

Reports have claimed that West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes is under consideration with the Portuguese midfielder set to be recommended by the United captain. The Hammers getting relegated from the Premier League could see that plan brought forward with Fernandes potentially available in a cut-price deal and unlikely to stay at London Stadium to play Championship football.

United playing European football again will also see the need for a bigger squad with depth up top and at the back far deeper currently than in midfield.