Manchester United ‘unwilling to extend’ loan deals for veterans
Manchester United’s window hinges on a mass exodus.
A few weeks ago, Manchester United were looking like a team of winners, a team of believers, a team of conquerors, a team that understands there is nothing in this game that they could not achieve. And a winning streak that lasted for 19-games across all competitions certainly made the devotees believe that the team could challenge for the elusive title next season in the Premier League.
However, a number of unprecedented scenarios in the following weeks — that includes a nervy 2–2 draw against Southampton in the Premier League, a 3–1 defeat to rivals Chelsea FC in FA Cup semi-final following a troublesome ninety-minutes of football from United defenders and goalkeeper David de Gea, and a 1-1 draw against a then relegation-dwellers West Ham United — have made the supporters rethink their judgement of picking Man United as a potential Premier League title contenders for the next season.
As they say, there is a long way to go. With Manchester United facing Leicester City in a crucial Sunday showdown, whether the Red Devils get the Champions League football next season or not will decide their fortune in the approaching summer transfer window.
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A Champions League spot could earn them more revenues and the status that the club has remained deprived of for a long long time, though it is worth reminding the readers that United played in the UCL last season — where they got knocked out of the competition following the home and away defeats to FC Barcelona.
However, missing the elite tournament — the first tier of European football — has had been a massive loss for United faithful, both in terms of commercial profits and footballing values. And a club of United’s ilk could not convey that damage going into the next season.
As we mentioned earlier in one of our pieces, the Mancunian club could miss out on a massive £25 million sponsorship income from their kit partner Adidas should they not play in the Champions League next season.
And if they do get Champions League football, the widespread rumours of Jadon Sancho moving to Manchester United will only be a matter of time then. Not only Sancho, but the club then will be able to invest in some other areas that have seemed vulnerable of late.
Yet, some close to the club believe that only Champions League qualification would not help much to increase the funds allotted for the upcoming summer transfer dealings.
Therefore, the idea of a massive clear-out is believed to be considered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Some bulky wage-bills are understood to be cut off the list.
And amidst the financial crisis caused by COVID-19, selling the unwanted ones could prove to be the best way to gather funds. The names of Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez top United’s list of undesired players.
Both Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez were loaned out from Manchester United to AS Roma and Inter Milan respectively last summer and have had played major parts for their respective clubs in the 2019-20 season, having revived their football careers in a league that is understood to be slower than Premier League.
Both Smalling and Alexis have recently signed a contract extension that will keep them away from their parent club until the end of the ongoing Serie A season. But should the clubs want to keep the players for their Europa league duties, they might have to buy them on a permanent basis as Manchester United are ‘unwilling to extend’ their loan deals any further, as per the reports from Sky Sports.
As Roma are ready to buy Chris Smalling on a permanent basis, but they want United to allow Smalling to play in the remaining Europa League fixtures for them, while Inter Milan want another one-year loan spell from the Chilean superstar before securing his services permanently.
But Manchester United need cash, and they have reportedly made it clear that if Roma and Inter want Smalling or Sanchez for their respective Europa League ties, they will have to earn them by paying the full transfer fees.
The saga regarding the two loanees has become more interesting than what was initially anticipated. It would be exciting to see how things pan out for the clubs under the current circumstances.
Next. United's form should be put into perspective. dark
Would you take Smalling and Sanchez back at Manchester United?