'Holds the key' - Three Manchester United transfers rely on controversial player sale before deadline day

Manchester United’s plans in the final week of the January transfer window could all depend on one controversial player sale.

Ruben Amorim hopes to add both a wing-back and a forward to his squad in the final week of the window, though there is an acceptance a player will need to be sold to finance both of those moves.

United had hoped to sell Marcus Rashford this month and reinvest his transfer fee back into their squad, but even a loan exit looks highly unlikely amid a lack of viable options to him before deadline day. There is an incentive for United to sell an academy graduate this month because any fee would represent pure profit from a financial perspective, which has opened up the possibility of Alejandro Garnacho leaving the club.

United are not actively looking to sell the Argentine this month but the club recognise his sale could be the easiest way to address their tight financial situation. The 20-year-old has struggled for regular playing time since Amorim arrived, though he has impressed in recent weeks and further added to their dilemma.

The sale of Garnacho could not only fund moves for both a wing-back and forward before deadline day, it could in turn give United more room to send another player out on loan and ease their wage output. As reported by Sky Sports: "The future of Alejandro Garnacho holds the key to Manchester United’s dealings in this transfer window. United do not want to sell him, but accept a sale will help with PSR - Napoli and Chelsea are interested.

"If Chelsea do officially come in and meet United’s demands, it could open the door for United to pursue a loan move for Christopher Nkunku. A permanent deal is seen as highly unlikely as United will want to use the money on the left wing-back position. A sale of Garnacho would make it easier for United to negotiate further with Lecce for Patrick Dorgu. A gap in valuation exists between the two parties. United view Lecce’s approach as “brinkmanship”. United have their own valuation of the player and will not overpay. A successful move for Dorgu would see United allow Tyrell Malacia to go out on loan this window. A number of European clubs have expressed an interest and United will look to get a deal in place should Dorgu arrive."