Manchester United are on the cusp of qualifying for next season’s Champions League ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures
It has been another rollercoaster season for Manchester United supporters but their campaign should end on a positive note. The 2-1 victory over Brentford on Monday night put the Reds 11 points clear of sixth-place Brighton with four games remaining. The Premier League was awarded a fifth Champions League spot this season thanks to their UEFA coefficient ranking.
With United now needing to finish in the top five, Brighton and Bournemouth are the only teams that can mathematically catch Michael Carrick’s side, though they would need to win all of their remaining matches and hope the Reds lose all of theirs
It is highly unlikely, and a return to the elite European competition could not come at a better time for United.
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The Reds will be overhauling their midfield this summer. Casemiro will be leaving at the end of the campaign having already announced his exit. Supporters gave him a hero’s reception after the Brentford win as the Brazil international scored his ninth goal of an impressive campaign.
Despite Casemiro’s affection for United, Carrick has insisted there will be no U-turn on the decision for him to leave. Following him out of Old Trafford could be Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguay international joined in 2024 but has not managed to replace Casemiro in the starting line-up. When he has played, Ugarte has struggled to live up to his £50m price tag.
His last start came in the 2-1 defeat to Leeds at Old Trafford. Barring injuries or suspensions, that will be Ugarte’s last start for United this season, perhaps ever.
Kobbie Mainoo will stay at United beyond this season. The midfielder agreed a new five-year deal with the club that will raise his wages in line with his status in the squad.
United are on the hunt for midfielders this summer, the trouble is they won’t come cheap. The likes of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Aurelien Tchouameni will command fees of around £100m. United are also in the market for a left-sided winger.
To complete their summer transfer objectives, United will need to raise funds and they could be a matter of weeks away from adding £80m to their budget. While exact figures will not be released until next season, United will bank approximately £16.1m for reaching the league phase of the Champions League – based on this year’s figures.
United’s prize pot will only go up further from there but that money is not guaranteed. They will earn £1.8m per win in the league phase and £600,000 for a draw.
There is also extra money on offer for the club’s final position in the standings and qualification for the knockout stages. Prize money will continue to grow should United progress.
The Reds will, of course, add more money to the kitty from player sales. Rasmus Hojlund is all but guaranteed to complete a permanent move to Napoli this summer.
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Napoli and United agreed on achievable clauses to complete the deal. For instance, the deal will be completed if Napoli qualify for the Champions League.
They currently sit second in Serie A, eight points clear of fifth-place Como, with 12 points to play for. Regardless, Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna described the deal as a ‘formality’ in December and once done, the Reds will land £38m.
Marcus Rashford is also expected to complete a permanent move this summer. United agreed a £26m option to buy with Barcelona.
Barca have not made the same strong statements as Napoli. But after three goals in his last four La Liga appearances, Rashford is doing all he can to make the move permanent.
United are going to have to spend big this summer, but there are plenty of ways they can add to the kitty.
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