£665,000 wage boost - Manchester United transfer plans could be transformed by two departures

Manchester United could see their January transfer plans transformed by two player departures this month.

Manchester World revealed last week United effectively have no transfer budget for new signings in January and that any arrivals would have to be financed by player sales. Despite that, Ruben Amorim still hopes to add to his squad with both a left wing-back and a forward on his wish list.

Given their tight financial situation, United would entertain offers for just about any first-team player this window, though there are players they would prefer to get rid of over others. There is a preference to move on some of their highest earners, as it would not only raise transfer funds but significantly reduce the current wage demands.

In particular, United would benefit the most from moving on both Marcus Rashford and Casemiro this month, who cost an estimated £665,000-per-week in wages alone. United could afford to take some hit on the £70 million they spent to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid three years ago because of the huge wage savings they would make, while Rashford would be allowed to leave on loan if a club pays the majority of his wages as well.

United's long-term preference would be to sell Rashford, given any transfer fee would be considered pure profit from a financial perspective due to the fact he came through the club's youth academy. However, there is an acceptance they might not be able to secure a permanent sale this month, so a loan exit until the end of the season appears the most likely outcome.

While several other players could also depart Old Trafford this month, Rashford and Casemiro are the two who could transform their current transfer plans. Even if they only managed to get rid of one, it would open up enough money to bring in a replacement in either of their two targeted positions.

United are one of the many sides interested in a possible loan switch for Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, while they are keeping tabs on Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu, Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez and PSG star Nuno Mendes. If a top target is not attainable this month, United could target a short-term solution before revisiting either problem position in the summer.