The key Man Utd summer exit that could pave the way for Erik ten Hag to sign lethal in-demand striker

Changes are afoot at Manchester United this summer and nowhere more so will that be present than in the playing squad. Sir Jim Ratcliffe will hope to be in charge of footballing operations imminently, once his investment into the club is ratified, and the INEOS chief will want to stamp his authority on transfer business.

Such will be the activity at United - both in and out - that Ratcliffe's first order of business might be to get a revolving door built at Carrington. Money has not been a rare commodity for the string of managers to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson but it has been spent poorly.

Single players cannot define a club's failure but if any current Red is to typify transfer mishaps then it is Anthony Martial. Bought for £36million in 2015, initial promise faded amid ongoing injury concerns and a combination of high wages and poor performances on loan meant he was unable to find a new home despite being up for sale last summer.

Surgery on a groin issue means Martial will not play for United until April and the six-week period between then and the season's finish suggests appearances remaining in a red shirt could be counted on one hand. United opted against activating a 12-month extension in his deal and so, as with compatriot Raphael Varane, he looks set to leave as a free agent in the summer.

United are already eyeing long-term replacements for Martial and Football Insider was the latest to report on interest in Ajax star Brian Brobbey on Monday. Brobbey recently admitted he was not in contact with Ten Hag, whom he worked under in the Netherlands, but any move will likely not come until summer.

Club chiefs predicted a quiet January and tight purse strings have left them scouring for short-term options, most likely on loan. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been linked but more long-term investment will have to wait.

Martial reportedly earns around £250,00-per-week at United and so getting his wages off the books will be useful, even if the chance of bringing in a notable fee faded some time ago. Doing so will free up both squad space and funds, potentially for Brobbey but certainly for another striker.

The 21-year-old's 15 goals so far this season have come at an admittedly lower level than the Premier League, but it remains a far-cry from the one scored by Martial - his customary effort against Everton. It is also more than any current United player.

Whether that quality can transfer into England remains to be seen. Antony is living proof of those difficulties but Brobbey should cost nothing close to the £86m splurged on his former teammate a year-and-a-half ago.

Ten Hag may also opt for a more experienced option, given he has long-term potential in the form of £72m summer signing Rasmus Hojlund. Perhaps the 20-year-old Dane would benefit from a teammate who has cut his teeth in Europe's top leagues, although that will undoubtedly come at a price.

Wherever United do turn for a new striker - and they will - the removal of Martial from the books will help the financial side of things. Ratcliffe and his men will hope to do the rest.