Man United may have shed as much as £50million from their annual wage bill by the time they release their released list in June.
United have had another turbulent season, one that has left many supporters asking what their major earners are doing to justify their salaries.
The Red Devils’ total wage bill stood at £331m at the last count, the highest total in the Premier League.
Trimming the fat has therefore become a priority and the departures of a handful of underperforming big names will help them adjust their spending going into the summer transfer window.
With United flirting with the upper limits of the Premier League and UEFA’s spending rules, news that three players are definitely leaving at the end of their contracts will be welcomed.
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Whose contracts are set to expire at United?
It has been confirmed Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial will move on after their deals expire, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka will also leave despite having a year left on his.
Meanwhile, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are not expected to see their deals renewed. There will be an announcement on their futures at some point in June.
There has been much speculation about the futures of two more of the club’s top earners, captain Bruno Fernandes and the under-fire Casemiro, but nothing has been made official yet.
How much will United save after five players leave the club
Varane, who arrived at Old Trafford with big expectations following his move from Real Madrid, is on a reported wage of £350,000 per week. That’s £18.2m per year, excluding bonuses and add-ons.
Martial meanwhile is on £250,000 per week, which equates to £13m per year. The forward has been at the club for almost a decade.
Both players are well thought of by the fanbase, but most agree that is time for the pair to move on. And the same is true of Wan-Bissaka, whose £90,000 wage will free up £4.7m annually.
Heaton and Evans’ wages are not known but analysis shows that their weekly packages are likely to be worth around £50,000. Combined, that’s another £5.2m saved.
All in all, the five departing players will shave £41.1m off the bill. With bonuses and add-ons taken into account, that will easily rise to £50m.