Manchester United plot fresh approach in their efforts to sell out-of-favour star

Opting for a definitive break through a direct sale, even at a financial loss, might ultimately be the wiser course. The relationship with the 25-year-old winger is already fractured, and retaining a player without a defined role only risks deepening internal discord. Dressing room harmony is a crucial ingredient for any successful rebuild, and Manchester United cannot afford distractions as they look to reshape the squad with new arrivals this summer.

United must do the financial math, but above all, they need to show decisiveness. If extending Sancho’s contract turns into a temporary patch without a clear exit route, it ceases to be a strategy and becomes a costly delay. At some point, the club may need to admit that the £73 million investment simply didn’t work. Accepting the loss and moving on would allow another club to try to revive the player’s career, while United focus their efforts on building something new.

At first glance, the contract extension coupled with a mandatory purchase clause appears clever. It preserves the player’s market value on paper and adds structure to any potential deal. But it is not without risk. Should Sancho fail to deliver at his next club, United may find themselves right back where they started, stuck with a high-earning asset that neither performs nor attracts buyers.

In essence, this is a gamble. For it to work, there must be genuine interest from a club willing to take the risk with long-term commitment. Otherwise, the move could deepen the financial strain caused by years of mismanagement in the transfer market.