It has been a case of “that’s much better” after three frustrating summers under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. For once Ed Woodward got the business done, and mostly early in the summer as well. No more does the club over-spend on mediocrity as happened too often since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Indeed, in bringing in four high-quality signings Woodward has executed on a nine out of 10 summer. But how do each of the players bought, sold or loaned rate for quality and value for money? Rant has the answers…

Read More

“When you purchase other players you get another stimulus in the group and you need that. Our selection is out of balance and we have managed to be fourth in the league but we have to manage to be the champions. So it shall be a rough summer I think for a lot of players.”
Louis van Gaal

With the season drawing rapidly to a close thoughts turn to the summer transfer market; the nation’s back-pages are filled with little but speculation about just where Van Gaal will spend a reported £150 million summer transfer budget. However, much as was the case last summer, when United sold, released or loaned 15 players, a significant proportion of United’s business will involve the Old Trafford exit. It’ll be a lonely walk for some, including a clutch of big-name players. Rant assesses just who might be having a “rough summer” among Van Gaal’s squad. David de Gea not included.

Radamel Falcao

The Colombian joined with much fanfare on deadline-day last summer, with United paying a £6 million loan fee to Monaco and picking up the tab on Falcao’s £265,000-per-week wages. It has proven to be a huge investment for very little return, with the striker scoring just four goals in 29 appearances across all competitions this season, while spending much of the campaign on the bench. There is no doubting Falcao’s commitment or workrate, but that extra explosive sharpness has, sadly, gone. The cruciate knee injury suffered in January 2014 has fundamentally changed the player for the worse. It is has, in truth, been hard to watch Falcao’s descent from one of the world’s truly élite strikers to a man struggling to make any impact at all. There is no chance United will commit a further £46 million investment on the 29-year-old this summer. Chance of departure: 10/10. Fee if sold: n/a.

Anders Lindegaard

The Dane has oft said that he didn’t come to United to ‘pick his nose’, although he might as well since there is little chance that Lindegaard will play for the club again. Signed in January 2011, Lindegaard once challenged a callow David de Gea for the number one jersey at Old Trafford. It was a short-lived spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s preferred stopper. In the end de Gea’s class told and Lindegaard has spent the entire season in the reserves. Even de Gea’s departure will do little for the Dane’s prospects at Old Trafford. A free transfer awaits. Chance of departure: 10/10. Fee is sold: £ free.

Rafael da Silva

What went wrong for Rafael? A United player since 2008, the diminutive Brazilian was supposed to have matured into an international class full-back by now. There has always been much to admire: pace, natural attacking instincts and genuine tenacity in the tackle. On paper the 24-year-old should offer much in an attacking Van Gaal system. Yet, two factors precipitate Rafael’s probable departure this summer. First, the player’s slow burning path to maturity; Rafael is still liable to defensive mistakes that should now be eradicated from his game. More importantly, he is a player who is so rarely fit. Rafael has only once played more than 30 games in a season. It is simply not enough return to be considered a safe bet in Van Gaal’s evolution. Chance of departure: 9/10. Fee if sold: £5-8 million.

Javier Hernandez

It has not been an easy season for Chichario in Madrid, although a burst of goals towards the end of the campaign has brought the Mexican some cheer. Yet, Hernandez has spent much of the campaign on the bench, just as he did under Moyes last year. Strange that the Scot reportedly refused to use Hernandez as bait to lure Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013. Back at Old Trafford Chicho will be granted few opportunities by Van Gaal – a manager who routinely seeks out more rounded strikers. Chance of departure: 9/10. Fee if sold: £8-10 million.

Nani

These are strange times indeed if Nani, who has spent the season on loan at Sporting, holds some chance of being recalled to Van Gaal’s squad, albeit a slim one and only because few clubs can afford the player’s extravagant wages. Nani has rarely achieved any consistency through a career that has so often promised much, but delivered only sporadically. Once again the winger has put up good numbers this season at Sporting: 10 goals and two assists. There were also times at United when he was highly productive. Yet, there was never a period when he was reliable. Inexplicably David Moyes pushed for the player to be granted a new five-year, £100,000-per-week, contract last season. He played just 13 times for the Scot. Chance of departure: 8/10. Fee if sold: £8-10 million.

Jonny Evans

There was a time when one Rant Cast co-host claimed Evans to be “among the top five central defenders in the world.” No, we couldn’t understand it either. Still, everybody is allowed the odd mistake! The trouble with Evans is that it’s almost every game and, at 27, the Northern Irishman is no longer the inexperienced kid returning from a loan spell at Sunderland full of hope. Evans is an ‘honest’ player, in that ridiculous parlance of English football, and there’s no brook with the player’s effort or attitude. Yet, there has always been the nagging feeling that he was never quite good enough to represent United. After a season in which injury, poor form and an unfortunate suspension have hit the player hard a move might well revitalise his career. Chance of departure: 7/10. Fee if sold: £8-10 million.

Robin van Persie

Oh Robin, it was so good. Remember that volley against Aston Villa? How we laughed and cried together. Then something turned sour. You didn’t like Moyes. None of us did. Neither did your hamstring. Or ankle. Or hip. We’ll always have 2013. Van Persie’s £24 million fee may not turn out to be great value – United will recoup only a fraction of the fee should Van Gaal push out his countryman this summer. Yet, it feels like the right time to let him go. The striker has spent too few minutes on the pitch this season and too many in the treatment room. When Van Persie has played a touch of pace and movement has ebbed away; the cruel passage of time. In truth United needs to reinvigorate the attack next season and the Dutchman’s sale makes much sense. Rumours of a move to Italy this summer might extend the player’s career too. Chance of departure: 7/10. Fee if sold: £10-12 million.

Angel di Maria

Remember the excitement? Nearly £60 million spent on a truly world-class star; Europe’s leading assist-maker in 2013/14 and the Man of the Match in Real Madrid’s La Decima Champions League final victory. The season started well for Di Maria too – there were stunning performances to go with that magical goal against Leicester City. It lasted not long enough. The Argentinian’s form wavered and a house break-in seemingly robbed the player of his spirit as well as his possessions. The challenge isn’t physical so much as mental – a level of adaptation to Van Gaal’s ‘philosophy’ as well as English football and culture is required. Noises coming out of Old Trafford in recent weeks point to a second season at United and a renewed sense of effort to extract performances from a player of truly wonderful talent. Chance of departure: 4/10. Fee if sold: £45-50. million.

… and the notable kids

Nick Powell
Powell has struggled to adapt to United’s standards despite enjoying a fine loan spell at Wigan Athletic in 2013/14. Deployed as a forward at Crewe Alexandra, Powell’s natural position might be in an attacking midfield role, although the youngster’s use of the ball is not always up to scratch. He is likely to be offered a chance to rebuild elsewhere this summer. Chance of departure: 7/10. Fee if sold: £1-2 million.

Adnan Januzaj
There is so much talent in the Belgian’s dancing feet that United has lost a significant attacking force this season in Januzaj’s absence. In part, Van Gaal simply doesn’t trust the youngster yet; in part the player has failed to adapt. Mostly the Januzaj simply didn’t fit in his manager’s system. In the 4-3-3 formation Van Gaal is planning for next season Januzaj might flourish, but with confidence shot a move away on loan may be a sensible path forward for all. Chance of departure: 7/10. Fee if sold: loan.

Tyler Blackett
Blackett enjoyed an unexpected rise to the first team before Christmas, although has rarely featured in the subsequent months. United’s probable purchase of an international-standard experienced central defender in the summer is likely to cut Blackett’s chances further. Another for whom a loan may well be a beneficial move. Chance of departure: 6/10. Fee if sold: loan.

Patrick McNair
The Irishman’s composure in central defence and determination at full-back may well mean that Van Gaal is reluctant to let McNair leave on loan during the summer, although his chances may be infrequent unless injury continues to strike United’s senior defenders. Chance of departure: 4/10. Fee if sold: loan.

James Wilson
The striker has featured in 16 games – 12 as sub – scoring two goals for Van Gaal’s side this season. It has not quite been the breakthrough campaign many expected for the lightening quick forward. Wilson’s United future depends on whether either of Van Persie of Falcao remains at the club, and where the club chooses to spend on a new forward this summer. A loan away is possible even if Van Gaal was reluctant to sanction it this season. Chance of departure: 4/10. Fee if sold: loan.

The season is not quite over yet, but the time is nigh for the Manchester United’s squad to be assessed in anticipation of the upcoming transfer window. After all, Louis Van Gaal must have seen enough of his men to draw up a list of summer additions – and the Dutchman has reportedly been handed a healthy transfer budget.

All eyes rest upon David De Gea as far as United’s goalkeepers go. Real Madrid holds much sway for the Spaniard, professionally and personally, but the deal, while very possible, is far from guaranteed this summer. De Gea’s contract runs to summer 2016.

It remains to be seen whether Victor Valdes can regain his Barcelona form but, on paper, the 33-year-old is well suited for Van Gaalian football. When push comes to shove, United may choose to see out the rest of De Gea’s contract while searching for a suitable replacement. Signing Valdes on a free transfer this winter has offered the club a safety net and there should be no post Edwin Van Der Sar-esque crisis should De Gea return home.

In defence a new centre back is essential and the noise surrounding Mats Hummels is gathering a sense of momentum. The market for centre backs offers more options than that for goalkeepers and the arrival of top player in that position is likely.

The situation on the right side of defence is dire though. Antonio Valencia has done a mediocre job this this season and Rafael, the only natural right-back in the squad, has fallen out of favour. United needs a top-class player in the position, especially with European football now likely next season, and a further back-up may also arrive in the summer. Nathaniel Clyne’s transfer has been frequently mooted, while Everton’s Seamus Coleman is also in the discussion. Neither will come cheap.

Surprisingly, given United’s recent history, central midfield looks relatively healthy. Daley Blind and Michael Carrick are dependable holding midfielders, while Juan Mata and Ander Herrera provide some stardust in the middle. Maroune Fellaini has earned begrudging respect and Angel Di Maria might eventually find a place in central midfield should Van Gaal finally settle on a 4-3-3 system. The Argentine excelled in the role at Benfica and Real Madrid.

United could do with a genuine driving force in the centre of the park, such as a pre-injury Kevin Strootman or Juventus’ Paul Pogba. The former is welcome, though might be a significant gamble, while the latter is probably far too costly. United can certainly compete with the current set of midfielders and may very well do so given the priorities in other areas of the pitch.

Van Gaal may well seek to bring in a wide player even if Di Maria stays at the club. Ashley Young has turned himself into a Ji-Sung Park-esque figure and the Dutch manager has an inherent fondness for such players. Mata may continue to be used as a “false winger” – one that uses movement rather than on-the-ball running to do damage – while the situation with Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj needs further observation.

Di Maria, high quality though he is, excels as the supporting cast rather than a bona-fide leading man. United’s squad is short of a genuinely destructive winger, such as Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo or Marco Reus. None of that trio is likely to arrive, however, and a potential transfer is complicated by United’s situation up front.

No matter how well the rest of season goes for Ramadel Falcao the Colombian’s permanent transfer to Old Trafford seems highly unlikely – if only because the £43 million fee can be better spent. Robin van Persie seems likely to linger around for at least another season, though probably with a less important squad role.

As ever, Wayne Rooney is the chief conundrum. The evidence of the season adds to the belief that Rooney can only be deployed as a number nine. Should Van Gaal persist with a 4-3-3 system then there really is no need for United to spend heavily on another striker, especially with James Wilson in the background.

It has been often said on these pages, but Rooney has neither the technique nor the physique to effectively hold up the ball as a lone striker. The Englishman needs other players to create space and United’s squad lacks the players to provide this ‘verticality.’ It is little surprise that Rooney has suffered a number of poor games up-front – the Liverpool fixture is a case in point.

Van Gaal could solve the problem by bringing in a more complete forward, but selling or benching Rooney may be too complicated both politically and financially. The alternative is to deploy a true box-to-box midfielder or more destructive winger to support Rooney. It would certainly improve United’s lot.

The summary is a wish list costing more than £100 million: a top centre back, right-back and back-up full-back, and a box-to-box midfielder or world-class winger. United will recoup some money by selling off fringe players such as Javier Hernandez. Even then, a transfer kitty of at least £90 million is needed to fill some obvious gaps in the squad.

Ed Woodward has certainly talked the talk in the past, but will he make good on all those promises once again? Perhaps so. Before the start of current season, this column argued that the Glazer family was likely to release funds for heavy spending – which happened to the tune of £125 million net.

That argument still holds true. Only the Glazers know how much they value Champions League football, but they profit as long as they don’t spend more than that valuation. Of course, the Americans might sanction as little possible to maximise profit, but the family has certainly been forced into recent spending. The logical action, then, is to spend a lot. This paradox minimises risk and the Glazers cannot take any chance when United is still swaying. Expect another busy summer.

There is little surprise in supporters’ obsession with the transfer market; new faces, new names and the hope of better results to come. In Manchester United’s recent decline this fixation has become all the stronger – a collective yearning that fresh blood will cure many of Old Trafford’s ills. Certainly, United’s summer spending will revitalise a squad that has been grossly mismanaged by Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill and the Glazers over the past five years. An imbalance remains that Ed Woodward may fill in the days to come. It is, however, sales that will definitively mark the beginning of the Louis van Gaal era.

David Moyes, it was often said, worked not with his own squad but that of Sir Alex. Little surprise, perhaps, that so many turned on the former Everton manager when training, performances and then results did not go to the collective’s liking. So quick to bite the hand that fed them. One year on Van Gaal should face little of the mutinous atmosphere that engulfed Moyes’ time at Old Trafford. Not least because the Dutchman’s distinct gravitas will simply not allow for it. More importantly, though, for the significant squad evolution now underway.

Indeed, in the 72 hours before the transfer window closes, five United first team players could top up the 10 already granted a transfer, released or retired this summer. Yet more would be dumped but for the logistics, and economics, of eliminating high-paid players from United’s payroll.

In the months since Moyes’ sacking last April Rio Ferdinand, Nemnaja Vidić, Patrice Evra, Alexander Büttner, Nani, Federico Macheda, Ángelo Henríquez, Bebé, Ryan Giggs and Wilfried Zaha have left the club. Giggs retired at the age of 40, Henríquez, Nani and Zaha left on loan – with an assumption the trio will never play for United again – and the remaining six departed permanently.

The Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra axis provided over 1,000 games for United; Giggs another millenary again. The absence of that vast experience will certainly be felt. By contrast United will miss nothing of Büttner, Nani, Macheda, Henríquez, Bebé, or Zaha.

Büttner was never of requisite quality – a knowledge that most observers considered true less than 30 minutes into the Dutchman’s United début. Macheda, Henríquez and Bebé each failed to establish themselves at Old Trafford despite, at times, promising contributions, albeit very different in nature. Meanwhile, Nani, and to a lesser extent Zaha, will remain misfits unable to harness talent to more positive effect.

Add Anderson, Anders Lindegaard, Tom Cleverley – and one of Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernández – to the probable departures by Monday evening and the exodus contributes to a sense of chaotic revolution and not planned change at Old Trafford. That the club’s executive vice chairman is desperately putting together deals for Daley Blind, and perhaps a midfielder and defender, in the coming days says much for the lack of control in the post Gill-Ferguson era. There is something ‘just not United’ in the chaos of frantic negotiation, yet a pattern has clearly been set over the past two summers.

Anderson has spent much of the past seven years resembling a character in Waiting for Godot, with United supporters hanging, absurdly, to the notion that the Brazilian’s talent will flourish. It has always been a tragicomedy of the club’s own making. The final twist is likely to be a year-long loan to the continent, with a free transfer following in summer 2015.

Then there is Cleverley and Welbeck – a pair so often the subject of heated supporter debate. While Cleverley’s United career has been on hold for three seasons, Welbeck’s talent and background ensure local-hero loyalty remains. Neither, in truth, has the capacity to drive United to new heights, although far fewer supporters will miss Cleverley than Welbeck. The Longsight-born forward’s record is patchy, but with neither Wayne Rooney nor Robin van Persie guaranteed fitness, the 23-year-old will enjoy plenty of minutes if he stays.

Hernández is another whose career has stalled. Once the subject of serious transfer interest by Real Madrid, United will probably accept a bid of less than £10 million for the Mexican forward. Old Trafford’s top brass would fall over themselves to include the 26-year-old in any prospective deal for Juventus’ midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Meanwhile, Lindegaard has been offered a free transfer with little prospect that the Dane will usurp David de Gea in United’s goal. Ben Amos is set to occupy United’s bench while Lindegaard seeks pastures new.

Then there is the question of those who have outstayed a generous Old Trafford welcome: Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini. The former pair were complicit in United’s sub-par performance against Burnley on Saturday; in truth neither has played a positive role for United in some time.

The club would certainly take a fee for Young, although two years on the Englishman’s contract and £115,000-per-week in wages remain genuine barriers to moving on a distinctly limited player. Valencia, so long a duff product at Old Trafford, remains if only to cover for Rafael da Silva’s extended periods on the treatment table.

Fellaini’s fee, wages and injury present a similar roadblock; one that means Van Gaal may well have to integrate the Belgian into his squad this season. In each case a significant upgrade is required.

And in truth few of the potential departed will be seriously missed. Not, at least, in the way of greats from the past. United might even significantly benefit from slimming down and rebalancing a squad that consensus now concludes was not left fit for purpose by a retiring Ferguson. It is a damming indictment of the Scot’s succession planning.

Van Gaal, meanwhile, welcomes five new signings this summer: Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind. Woodward may yet land the experienced central defender and another midfielder Van Gaal seeks before the 1 September deadline. It would take the club’s spending well beyond £150 million this summer.

In this process of renewal Van Gaal is seeking not only to improve his resources but to make this ‘his team’ at rapid speed. There is little doubt the Dutchman will succeed.

In the meantime, Woodward is busy not only buying, but offloading United’s ample dead-wood. That’s in addition to negotiating new arrivals, driving United’s global marketing strategy, and leading a $2.5 billion organisation. Little wonder, perhaps, that the 42-year-old has found the market more than a little challenging over the past two years. Woodward probably needs some help; a director of football to sit between the boardroom and coach – and, most importantly, to so the heavily lifting in a busy transfer market.

Either way United supporters will be watching with intense interest in the coming days – Jim White, Sky Sports News, and all.

These are celebratory times indeed. Not only has Manchester United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward closed a deal, some 12 days before the summer transfer window shuts, but in a position where the Reds are desperately short. United’s calamitous showing against Swansea City last weekend served only to highlight just how desperately the club requires new blood in defensive positions. So to the rescue comes Marcos Rojo, Argentina’s World Cup left-back, who will play on the left side of United’s back three this season after Woodward secured a £16 million transfer from Sporting.

Rojo’s signature takes Nani in the other direction, where United will pay the errant Portuguese winger around £5 million to play for the Lisbon-based side this season. Good deal all round, those of a more cynical bent might add. Meanwhile, the Argentinian will compete with Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Tyler Blackett for a place in Louis van Gaal’s side, while offering a useful option at left wing back.

Not that Rojo was anywhere near van Gaal’s first choice this summer, with United mooting deals for Thomas Vermaelen, Mats Hummels and Mehdi Benatia. The former transferred to Barcelona after Woodward spent an entire summer dallying on the deal with Arsenal, while the latter is still mulling over offers from around Europe. Hummels – always van Gaal’s first choice – is unlikely to leave Borussia Dortmund in the current window.

Strange, though, how the club has once again left execution of transfer planning to the very last moment, more than six months after former captain Nemanja Vidić announced his departure for Internazionale. In truth the club has known at least as long that Rio Ferdinand would not secure a new deal at Old Trafford. In aggregate, Rojo serves to highlight another omnishambles of a transfer strategy played out by Woodward and company this summer.

In between Vidić’s January announcement and the Premier League kick off last weekend David Moyes was sacked and van Gaal appointed, with seemingly little continuity in club strategy. True, the Dutchman signed off on more than £55 million worth of acquisitions in Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, although those deals, instigated by Moyes, remained the sum total of United’s market activity this summer until Rojo’s arrival was announced by United and Sporting on Tuesday.

Not that United’s acquisition of Herrera and Shaw should pass without scrutiny either, the club having paid a significant premium for each. Or, to paraphrase former United right-back Gary Neville, Chelsea secured seasoned internationals Cesc Fabregas and Luis Fillipe for around £18 million less than the United pair.

Elsewhere, the outlook is less positive for Woodward, who is said to be acutely aware of the growing reputation he has gained for being outmanoeuvred in the transfer market. Not least because the former JP Morgan executive has talked such a good game, asking fans to “watch this space” while United “moves in the market” far more aggressively than in previous seasons. Supporters have watched, and waited, with less reward than the club requires.

van Gaal certainly remains an experienced defender short. After all, Rojo has played just three seasons in Europe and must quickly adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premier League. Moreover, the former Estudiantes defender is yet to complete more than 33 games in all competitions during any one campaign. It is likely to be a challenging first few months in England and a very steep learning curve.

Play he must though. After having lost four defenders in the summer – Ferdinand, Vidić, Alexander Büttner, and Patrice Evra – van Gaal has little choice but to risk his new man. Rant suspects few in United’s hierarchy will take responsibility for the abject failure in planning.

Meanwhile, in midfield the ease with which Swansea negotiated United’s triumvirate of Darren Fletcher, Juan Mata and Herrera last Saturday is a significant cause for concern. Mata was largely anonymous, first as United’s creative fulcrum in van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2 system, and then in a more conventional role behind Rooney in a Moyes-esque 4-4-1-1. Herrera was neat, but lacked real influence, while Fletcher, who excelled during the summer tour of the USA, was as rusty as one might expect a man to be after returning from two years out of the game.

United is seemingly no closer to sealing a deal for either Angel di Maria or Arturo Vidal. The former is available, although United’s is not the only game in town, with Paris Saint Germain attempting to construct a deal that circumvents Financial Fair Play regulations. The latter has long been considered by United’s hierarchy despite repeated denials behind the scenes.

The prevailing intelligence is that Woodward must land at least one superstar to bring United’s squad up to top four quality. On the evidence of Saturday’s performance the Reds are further short of Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the chase for Champions League places than feared. Failure to qualify for next season’s premier European competition is an option, but one that will cost United tens of millions in lost broadcast, matchday and sponsorship revenues.

More pertinent, however, is quite how the club finds itself in this position once again. After all, this was the summer of supposedly strong investment, with the club having deleveraged over the past four years, and more cash available to the new manager than at any time in recent history. This was the summer when all those regional sponsorship deals, Chevrolet’s millions, and broadcast rights combined to proffer United overwhelming financial muscle.

The £750 million kit manufacturing deal with adidas, announced in July, should have further embolden Woodward’s team. Not so it seems. In fact, not only has the scenario of hyper hyperinvestment failed to materialise, but the club enters the last days of a transfer window desperately chasing players in the most embarrassingly scattergun fashion. Whatever planning went into United’s summer strategy – for want of a better word – it has proven to be wholly inadequate.

The rub comes in May and not August, of course, although it takes not any foresight to predict some of the travails that van Gaal’s side faces in the coming months, no matter the Dutchman’s genius. His squad is light in central defence, central midfield and in wide areas, both of the attacking and defensive variety.

Meanwhile, the Glazer family announced last month it plans to sell another 12 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange, raising almost $200 million in revenue for Malcom Glazer’s six children. Nor will the sale precipitate a change in strategy, with the family retaining more than 80 per cent of the voting power having devised a dual class stock structure on IPO some two years ago.

Neither are the Glazers minded to remove Woodward from the equation – the man who has successfully executed on the Americans’ commercial vision. Woodward, to his core, remains a company man; a Glazer favourite.

It leaves United supporters little confidence that the new manager will hold a full complement of tools come 2 September. Boasting an unbalanced squad, short of world-class talent, and with his stars’ confidence seemingly absent, van Gaal faces one his greatest managerial challenges. Woodward the scorn of many.

Movement of the people. Or, in this case, Manchester United players. By the end of the summer up to 14 first team or fringe players could have left the club as Louis van Gaal and Ed Woodward embark on a major programme of squad restructuring. Whether the flip side of that coin, new signings, arrive before the summer transfer window shuts on 1 September is another question again.

Six United players have already left this summer: Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra, Bebé, Alexander Büttner, and Ángelo Henríquez – the latter initially on loan with a purchase clause inserted – while Ryan Giggs has retired. Indeed, so many players are likely depart Old Trafford before the summer is out that United could, or could have, put out a decent side – one that Rant assumes would comfortably survive in the Premier League.

In a 4-3-3 formation, with room for substitutes…

Ben Amos, England, 24, Goalkeeper
The Macclesfield-born stopper has been with United since he joined the club aged 11 in 2001. Yet, in more than a decade at Old Trafford the England under-21 player has made just seven first team appearances – only one in the Premier League. Loan spells with Peterborough United, Molde, Oldham Athletic, Hull City and Carlisle United have brought 54 further games. With Amos’ contract running out in 2015, United will likely take a fee to move the player on this summer. 7 games, 0 goals

Rafael da Silva, Brazil, 24, Right-Back
The Brazilian was named by the Daily Mail as one of seven players whom van Gaal has earmarked to leave United this summer; perhaps the most surprising possible exit. The right-back has been with United since 2007, although form and injuries have repeatedly hampered the former Fluminense player’s progress. An outstanding campaign in 2012/13 was followed by a disappointing season under David Moyes. 159 games, 5 goals

Rio Ferdinand, England, 35, Central Defender (QPR)
In more than a decade at United Ferdinand secured almost every piece of silverware available, yet there was little other choice for United than to move the defender on this summer. Rather than retire Ferdinand moved to Queens Park Rangers in July – a humbling step down for one of Europe’s finest defenders, albeit one the Londoner has taken with good grace. Ferdinand may not be missed on the pitch, but his leadership certainly will be. 455 games, 8 goals

Nemanja Vidić, Serbia, 32, Central Defender (Internazionale)
Vidić is perhaps the most high-profile ‘victim’ of the Moyes era, with the Serbian rapidly seeking an exit before the full trauma of the Scot’s reign had even set in. It is, says United We Stand’s Andy Mitten, a decision he regrets. In eight years with United Vidić led the club to domestic and European glory – one of the finest defenders to have worn the red shirt. Injuries played a significant part in the Serbian’s reduced role in the period 2011-13 – a time in which Vidić considered leaving United. Yet, 2013/14 saw the defender restored to the side, and one of United’s better performers in a disastrous campaign. 300 games, 21 goals

Patrice Evra, France, 33, Left-Back (Juventus)
There have been few finer representatives of the club in modern times. In eight full seasons with United Evra played more than 40 games in all but one. For a period the Frenchman was probably the finest full-back in Europe; a great attacker, a fine defender, and a major contributor to United’s 2008 Champions League victory. In recent campaigns the defensive side of Evra’s game has suffered – most probably because the player’s stamina subsided as the miles clocked up. His contribution may have waned, but few will doubt his value to United over the years. Sorely missed in the dressing room. 379 games, 10 goals

Anderson, Brazil, 26, Central Midfield
Few players elicit as much debate among supporters as the errant Brazilian. For some, the ‘next Ronaldinho’ is waiting to burst forth, if only opportunities had been granted by Sir Alex in a more attacking role. Yet, Anderson so rarely impressed in any role – a short run of progress ended by another frustrating performance or perennial injury problems. In the end Anderson has more reason to look inward than to bad luck; injuries played their part, but a distinct lack of professionalism was a more important role in the former Gremio star’s downfall. 179 games, 9 goals

Marouane Fellaini, Belgium, 25, Central Midfield
Is there any more calamitous marker for the failed Moyes experiment than the Belgian? Strange player indeed – a midfielder who does not tackle, cannot pass, suffers for a chronic lack of pace, and exhibits a criminally poor first touch. Worse still, a player whose only redeeming feature – his height – is one that is so rarely needed at Old Trafford. United will move the midfielder on unless the trickle of suitors runs totally dry. It will cost millions though – a failure of Moyes’ direction, Woodward’s strategy, and horribly botched succession planning. 21 games, 0 goals

Ryan Giggs, Wales, 40, Winger/Central Midfield (Retired)
The Welshman’s retirement to take up an assistant manager’s post under van Gaal came as little surprise after more than two decades in the United first team. There are few superlatives left for the winger-turned-midfielder-turned-coach, who has won more silverware than any other player in the history of the club. Almost 1,000 games tells the story of Giggs’ longevity, dozens of major trophies that of his success. An outstanding player, a strong voice in the dressing room, and the turncoat who did more than most to undermine Moyes. Giggs won that battle – he now faces a new challenge to succeed in coaching. 963 games, 168 goals

Nani, Portugal, 27, Winger
Frustrating and brilliant, although not in equal measure. Nani has reportedly been earmarked for an exit by van Gaal, much as Sir Alex Ferguson had concluded prior to summer 2013. Inexplicably Moyes pushed for the player to be awarded a new contract, although the club’s executive was also happy to protect the Portuguese winger’s transfer value. Nani’s time at United should have yielded so much more because the former Sporting player has almost every tool available to the modern forward: pace, technique and an eye for goal. Consistency, or the lack thereof, and a distinct inability to read the game have consistently limited Nani’s contribution. 221 games, 41 goals

Javier Hernández, Mexico, 26, Striker
How did it come to this? The sprightly Mexican started life at United so brightly, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. Yet, he has never become a fixture in the United side, making just 15 starts in the Premier League over the past two seasons. Indeed, the striker’s stock has fallen to the point that the club is unlikely to command the stellar transfer fee mooted when Real Madrid considered a bid in summer 2012. With Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck at the club, and James Wilson progressing fast, Chicharito’s career will surely be better served elsewhere. 152 games, 59 goals

Wilfied Zaha, England, 21, Winger
The former Crystal Palace winder has made so little impression that it is tempting to wonder just what went wrong. After all, outstanding performances for the Selhurst Park outfit and – one hopes – adequate due diligence should have left United confident that the £15 million fee was well spent. Technically Zaha offers much: pace, the ability to beat a man, and a goalscoring instinct. Yet, the player’s inability to release the ball often breaks down attacks, even at reserve level, while there has been more than one assertion that the player’s attitude has not always been right. Talented, but a player unlikely to prosper in van Gaal’s prefered 3-4-1-2 formation. 4 games, 0 goals

And on the bench…

Alexander Büttner, Netherlands, 25, Left Back (Dynamo Moscow)
It took all of 30 minutes for the schooled to work out that Büttner had neither the talent nor potential to become a player of United’s normally high standards. The Dutchman was, even by Sir Alex’ erratic transfer record, a very poor choice to challenge Evra for a place in the United side. Surging runs could do little to mask a defensive nous that, with no little irony, served only to underline Evra’s enduring value. That United actually made a profit on Büttner’s sale will bring a smile to Old Trafford’s varied bean counters. 28 games, 2 goals

Bebé, Portugal, 24, Winger/Forward (Benfica)
One of the most mysterious, and possibly dubious, transfers in United’s history. Plucked from amateur football by Vitória de Guimarães, Bebé was flipped for a profit of more than £7 million inside two months and without playing a competitive fixture for the club. Much of revenue was snaffled by ‘super agent’ Jorges Mendes. Adding to the enigma – United hasn’t concluded a deal with Mendes in more than four years since Bebé joined. 7 games, 2 goals

Ángelo Henríquez, Chile, 20, Striker (Dinamo Zagreb)
The young Chilean joined United from Universidad de Chile with high hopes that quick feet and striker’s instinct would blossom at Old Trafford. He is yet to make a competitive appearances for the first team. Loan spells at Wigan Athletic and Real Zaragoza convinced few that the 20-year-old is ready to make it at Old Trafford. 0 games, 0 goals

Will Keane, England, 21, Striker
Outstanding at academy and then reserve level, it was Will and not Michael than most observers assumed would make it into the first team squad of the Keane brothers. Yet, injuries and unfortunate loan spells at Wigan and Queens Park Rangers have served only to hamper the young Englishman’s progress. The Stockport-born striker should make it in the game, but reportedly not at United, with van Gaal offering Keane a passage out of the club this summer. 1 games, 0 goals

Federico Macheda, Italian, 23, Striker (Cardiff City)
It is now five years since Macheda exploded into the consciousness, scoring against Aston Villa to secure victory in a crucial late season Premier League game. It was the high point of the Italian’s career. In the interviewing years injuries and attitude have restricted the striker’s development; disastrous loan spells at Sampdoria, Stuttgart, Doncaster Rovers and Queens Park Rangers did little to dispel the belief that Macheda would never make it at United. 36 games, 5 goals

One certainty when dining at the top table is that the fare on offer can be mighty pricey. It seems that Manchester United’s appointment of Louis van Gaal to the manager’s post signals the club’s intention to eat à la carte once again. While the Dutchman boasts a fine record of working with youth, over more than two decades as a front line manager, there is little that will distract from the major rebuilding task ahead.

After all, three significant player departures, and perhaps another half-dozen regarded by the club as deadwood, points to a squad ripe for overhaul. But it is an observation that provokes an obvious question: just how will United fund the much rumoured £100 – £200 million summer transfer market splurge?

The answer is more nuanced than the question predisposes. After all, more than nine years into the Glazer family’s ownership, United has never spent more than £50 million net of player sales in a single summer. Cash rich the club may be, with commercial and broadcast income on the rise, but United has rarely been less than relatively parsimonious during the Americans’ reign.

Yet, executive vice chairman Ed Woodward has left no doubt – both off and on the record – that United’s board intends to support the new manager in the market this summer. Taken at face value Woodward’s spin signifies a new era in which United’s owners are prepared to release club funds for player investment that may supersede, for the first time in years, the club’s rivals at home and abroad.

The motivation for this new-found financial profligacy is far from altruistic of course; nor will a penny be invested by the owners directly. Indeed, the club’s performance on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement little more than a year ago is instructive. Valued at $3.02 billion on the day Ferguson retired last May, United’s market capitalisation lies at just under $2.75 billion today – or, on paper at least, some $300 million wiped off the asset’s value in a year. The most bearish sentiment came in February when the club was valued by investors at some $600 million less than on the day Ferguson walked out on the job.

While ‘MANU’ stock fluctuates significantly, including the oddly frequent end-of-day ‘dead cat bounce’, as little paper is actually available for trading, the message was clear: Wall Street does not foresee a positive outlook on United’s financial future if the team’s results slide. The Glazers’ concern is to avoid a perma-bear market assessment where the commercial upside that comes with success – prize money, sponsorship, television revenue, and healthy margins – is believed to have run dry. Permanently.

Little wonder the family is keen to protect the asset’s value by ensuring, at a safe minimum, perpetual top four finishes and ongoing Champions League football. Releasing cash for investment, and not further debt repayment is a sound strategy in the context.

Yet, the source of cash for investment is far from clear. The club’s third quarter results showed a significant uplift in revenues and earnings before interest, tax, deductions and amortisation (EBITDA). Yet, gross debt remained above £350 million, while cash-in-the-bank held steady at just over £34 million. The latter figure will rise during the summer months when income from season ticket and executive facility renewals comes in, but it hardly amounts to a war-chest of biblical proportions.

Moreover, the short-term revenue outlook has some bumps ahead, with broadcast, matchday and sponsorship revenue set to take a downturn with United out of the Champions League next season. Woodward put the revenue impact at “mid-30s millions” in a recent analyst call, but the impact on margins – and United’s share price – might be more significant still.

“Assume revenue in 2015 falls 7 per cent, to £400m,” said the FT’s Lex column this week. “In the past Manchester United has reported a margin on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of about 30 per cent. This could contract towards the mid-20s if player costs keep rising. Add the revenue drop and the lower margin together, and ebitda could easily be £33m lighter this coming year – 25 per cent.”

It is not a message ever taken positively on Wall Street. Yet, if the club is to avoid burning through its cash this summer then investment will need to be spread, as is increasingly common in player acquisitions, over a number of years. It makes for an interesting negotiation tactic at least. And there is also a warning – the cost of transfer fees and attendant wages is still felt over three to four years, even if it is not across a single summer.

On the upside there is a coming cash influx from freshly minted principle sponsor Chevrolet, although the deal has already been part-paid reducing the annual revenue to the club. Meanwhile, any new kit deal will not come into effect until July 2015 leaving United with something of a short-term investment dilemma.

The observation also leaves open two possibilities: that the Glazers will expand, or at least not pay down, some part of United’s debt in the coming year; or that further equity will be released to the market. The latter option, although cheaper than debt, had seemingly been shelved over the past 12 months, with the Glazer brothers not keen to cut tomorrow’s capital gains by eroding their shareholdings today. The former will gain supporters’ ire and shareholders concern – only one of which concerns the American family.

Then there is the fine line that United faces with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play construct. While the club, with EBITDA over £40 million for the quarter, is a healthy beast where the European governing body is concerned, a huge transfer splurge in the £150-200 million range, with the attending amortised player values and wage uplift, will take United closer to the ‘fail’ line than many will be comfortable with.

Or as the FT put it Woodward must “get the players in immediately while preventing transfer fees and the higher salaries from stressing the balance sheet.” And Michel Platini.

At a minimum, heavy spending today is more than likely to reduce the budget available in future windows, not withstanding quite how difficult it will be for United’s to recruit the players on van Gaal’s ‘A’ list of targets this summer. That Woodward has signalled United’s intent is sure to load rivals’ hand when it comes to spending the kitty, with a premium on transfer fees more than likely. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney’s contract has set the benchmark for top line wages at the club. Incoming players take note.

Nor will United find it easy to move on some of the squad’s highly paid deadwood. Reduced incoming transfer fees, or compensation due to players, may not offset the summer spending as United’s bean counters may hope. It is unlikely that the club will command premium fees for Nani, Anderson or Bébé, although Ashley Young, Shinji Kagawa, and Tom Cleverley could leave for in excess of eight figures each.

It leaves a delicate balancing act for Woodward and his Florida paymasters. One that last summer proved is a task for which United’s executive is far from infallible. Unlike when it comes to securing those lucrative sponsorship contracts it would seem.

The summer transfer scene; a political game seemingly played out in the media’s full glare. Of course, the reality is that only a proportion of transfer business is known to the press pack, let alone those supporters watching from the sidelines. But whatever the truth in an a myriad of rumours in the mainstream press and on the well-worn grapevine it feels like a pivotal summer for the club. After all, rivals at home and abroad are strengthening during the break.

David Moyes claims confidence that Manchester United will chase down a flurry of unspoken targets, but the club’s losing pursuit of Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcântara highlights the challenges faced in invigorating a squad that succeeded in the Premier League, but came up short in Europe last season.

Indeed, there is no guarantee that United will successfully strengthen this summer, with Moyes  facing intense competition in the market, while juggling more than one priority when it comes to improving his resources.

Whatever destination Thiago eventually chooses, with the smart money now on a £15 million move to European champions Bayern Munich, interest in the Spaniard demonstrates some recognition that United’s engine room requires a long-overdue upgrade. It is now more than six years since the club last acquired a central midfielder – Owen Hargreaves and Anderson joining within 48 hours of each other in late May 2007.

It says something that the Englishman is long since retired, while Anderson continues to frustrate with whatever limited minutes he remains fit to play.

By contrast Thiago’s star burns bright and with it interest in a player who might not ordinarily be available, but for a propitious release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract. That Thiago’s mentor Pep Guardiola has publicly expressed an interest in the player this week means United has surely lost out on the man who scored a hat-trick from central midfield in this summer’s Euro Under-21 final.

United may well face similar competition for any leading player this summer, with wealthier rivals in PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and the newly enriched Monaco. And then there are those clubs seemingly more en vogue – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich.

Thiago’s probable move to Bayern follows the Bavarians’ capture of the outstanding youngster Mario Götze. Meanwhile, Real have added twinkle-toed Spanish youngster Isco and under-21 colleague Asier Illarramendi, and Barcelona spent around £50 million on Neymar.

Domestically, City has spent big on Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and the Spanish winger Jesus Navas, while Chelsea brought in youngsters Marco van Ginkel and André Schürrle.

Still, Moyes remained upbeat over the weekend, expressing confidence that a range of players under consideration will find their way to Carrington before the window closes in August.

“We’re on with targets that we are chasing at this moment in time,” said Moyes, who suffered his first defeat as United manager against a Thai All-Star XI on Saturday.

“At this moment in time, we’re happy with how things are going. We’ll be looking to try to change one or two things around, I just need a bit of time to do that.

“We are always looking at the best players, we are interested in the best players and I definitely am. I am not going to take the focus away from trying to sign good players who are hungry and who are thinking of climbing the ladder.”

Indeed, it is 50 days before the summer transfer window closes and Moyes is still likely to recruit long-term target Eziquiel Garay inside the month. United scouts watched the Argentinian defender, now plying his trade at Benfica, on numerous occasions last season, with the player’s decision to join Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency working in favour of a £17 million move.

The former Real Madrid stopper appeared just 25 times for the Bernabeu side before a £5 million transfer to the Portuguese capital in summer 2011, and any future move to Old Trafford will be complicated by an intricate ownership structure. Garay is part-owned by Real, Benfica and the Benfica Stars Fund investment fund.

Mendes has a chequered history with United having brought Nani, Anderson and Bébé to Old Trafford, although he may be forgiven that triumvirate if another client, David de Gea, continues to progress in the coming season.

Another defender, Leighton Baines, will join if United press on with a £12 million bid for the 28-year-old English left-back, although the club is seemingly – sensibly some might add – unwilling to increase that offer.

Elsewhere Moyes may well seek to bring in another winger in addition to that much coveted central midfielder – squad depth being as important as quality, says Moyes. Nani is likely to leave the club this summer, while Ashley Young rarely fit and Bébé an embarrassing failure most in the Old Trafford hierarchy would rather forget.

“We’d like to add one or two players to make the squad stronger as well,” he says. “Sometimes the jigsaw puzzle of piecing it all together doesn’t always come exactly the way you want it but I’ve got a picture in my mind of what I’d like and I’m hoping to work towards that

In all this the Wayne Rooney farce is no nearer to being resolved, with a tetchy Moyes berating the travelling media on Friday for asking another slew of questions about the 28-year-old striker. That neither manager nor player have been able to confirm the Scouser’s commitment to United’s cause remains the headline story this summer.

Moyes will at least take heart from the positive contributions of  both Wilfried Zaha and youngster Adnan Januzaj in United’s defeat on Saturday. Not that the youngsters are likely to bridge the gap to the very best in Europe if that is indeed United’s ambition this summer.

“Wilfried did well,” said Moyes. “He gave us a little bit of something different.

“We have brought him here to give him a chance. It is the first time I have worked with him and had a chance to see him up close. He will certainly be part of the squad and we will see where we can fit him in as often as we can.

“(Januzaj) was a plus for us. He played well. It is always good when you give a young player a chance and he shows up. He did that tonight. The more he plays like that the more opportunities he is likely to get.”

Yet, the Thai loss will do little to quell a growing thirst to reinforce this summer, although expectations will of course be tempered given the squad has benefited from around a week’s training to date.

The Reds move on to Sydney for the second in a seven fixture pre-season, but supporters will be watching the rumour mill as much as the on-pitch action. After all Thiago’s decision to move elsewhere will be forgotten  posthaste once the next bright young thing hits the back pages.

Whether Moyes lands his man is another question.

The silly season they say. It is as if the collective media doth protest too much. Silly is the faces pulled at an infant, or Shinji Kagwa’s karaoke routine at the end-of-season party. Silly is perhaps even the media’s reaction to José Mourinho’s slaying of the truth this week – how Rant chuckled. All very silly.

But when it comes to transfer speculation, at this time of year, in these times, silly is surely a malapropism. Downright stupid more like; an insult to football’s collective intelligence.

Take, for example, Manchester United’s apparent chase for Cristiano Ronaldo, the £80 million former Red now residing quite comfortably at Real Madrid. Silly. Just silly.

True, Ronaldo’s ‘people’ have sounded out his former employers – and United has considered a potential deal, bolstered by the apparent millions pouring in from every corner of the sponsorship globe. True, the Portuguese winger is yet to sign a new contract at the Bernabéu. Mind you, he also has two years left on the deal, with a €1 billion release clause studiously inserted into the deal four years ago.

Indeed, the road from here to Ronaldo’s Old Trafford return, especially in Sir Alex Ferguson’s absence, is fraught with more speedbumps than downward slopes. Not least United’s willingness, or otherwise, to fund an extravagant deal for a player who turns 29 next season.

But forget the fee for a moment – a sum that would approach if not pass that garnered by United in 2009 and concentrate on Ronaldo’s wages, which currently exceed £12 million per season. That’s netto, between you and Ruud Gullit, for a player just 19 months younger than Robin van Persie.

Over the course of a five-year contract United’s outlay might exceed £150 million, leaving the bean-counters to wonder just how many shirts the Megastore must sell, at pennies per additional nylon kit hawked under the current terms of Nike’s contract. You do the math, as our north American cousins love to say.

Then, of course, there is Real’s reluctance to part with a player who has scored at greater than a goal-a-game over nearly 200 fixtures for Los Merengues. Silly. Ridiculously silly, but Real’s antipathy to change is unsurprising given Barcelona’s recent dominance. After all, La Liga was lost to the Catalans by 15 points last season and Barça has already secured the outrageously talented Brazillian forward Neymar for next season’s campaign.

Yet, Ronaldo is not alone in the cavalcade of stars apparently on their way to Old Trafford. Make of that what you will. Take, for a start, Gareth Bale at £60 million. Add Marouanne Fellaini (£23 million), Thiago Alcantara(£18 million), Leighton Baines (£16 million), Ezikiel Garay (£16 million), Kevin Strootman (£12 million), and Dong Fangzhou (£5 million) to the list and United might need to file another IPO. At least one of those tales is completely fabricated.

The litany of newsprint is a Championship Manager fans’ wet dream – and not even nearly credible given David Moyes’ likely warchest this summer. After all, headline budgets and the Glazer family have always been an ephemeral relationship. No Rant can’t remember United spending £100 million after Wayne Rooney’s 2010 ‘October Revolution’ either.

Elsewhere, Barça kicked-off the transfer round robin by shelling out more than £55 million for Neymar. Newly enriched Monaco spent a similar sum on Colombian forward Radamel Falcao, while Manchester City lavished nearly £30 million on Brazilian reserve midfielder Fernandinho – a player who wasn’t close to making the Seleção for the Confederations Cup – and perennially homesick winger Jesus Navas.

One of Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea or City will happily part with more than £50 million for Edison Cavani.  And don’t even look at Isco without depositing something far north of the GDP of a small South American banana republic.

Even heavily indebted West Ham United spent somewhere near £15 million to bring hard-drinking Andy Carroll to London on a permanent basis.

Silly money from silly boys with their football toys.

But there are bargains to be had this summer, with United likely to take a face-value loss on several players, including Nani, Anderson and Bébé. That’s £45 million worth of talent now likely to command less than half the sum no matter how foolish the owners that take the trio off United’s hands.

Rooney – now on to his second transfer request – might command more than £20 million, but it is a sum nowhere near what might have been for a player who once aspired to be the world’s best. Getting through 90 minutes without puffing is the new goal. Or at least it should be.

Far cheaper is CSKA Moscow’s Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda who is available on a free transfer next winter, but unlikely to tax the budget of even the smallest Premier League outfit – not with next season’s bottom team taking home more than £60 million in revenue from TV rights.

Honda holds rank over Kagawa in the national team, often pushing the United man out to the left, although neither impressed in Japan’s 3-0 loss to Brazil in Saturday’s Confederations Cup opener.

Elsewhere free agents Andrei Arshavin, Yossi Benayoun, Chris Brunt, Florent Malouda, Carlton Cole, Mark Schwarzer, David Bentley and even Roque Santa Cruz will attract some attention, although surely not at Old Trafford.

While any deal for Ronaldo is still a long-shot, despite the speculation-fuelled short odds offered by some bookmakers in recent weeks, United will spend something this summer. Moyes’ apparent identification of the Reds’ major weakspot – central midfield – is a blessing at least. He could hardly fail to spot the problem given how Everton have dominated the area in recent matches against United.

The solution to that particular problem seems unlikely to be either, or both, of the Barça pair Cesc Fabregas and the aforementioned Alcantara. Many Reds hope that it is not Fellaini either given Everton’s propensity to play football of the agricultural kind last season the Belgian in the side.

All of which leads to the conclusion that despite press reports Moyes is still unlikely to spend silly money come silly season. Whatever the club’s new-found financial stability, albeit with £350 million of debt still loaded onto the books, this is still a business owned and run by the Glazer family.

Now that’s silly.

Manchester United’s season will end with the Premier League trophy heading back to Old Trafford once again. It is, by any measure, a season of success, although disappointment in Europe and two domestic cup competitions will sting Sir Alex Ferguson over the summer.

The Premier League may have been sealed with four games to go, but it hasn’t been a universally productive season for Ferguson’s players, some of whom may well be on their way out of the club this summer.

Poor performances are one thing, but the loss of Ferguson’s trust is quite another. It is the latter that normally guarantees an exit. And while the political machinations of the transfer market are plenty, so predictions almost impossible, here is Rant’s top five potential exits this summer:

Nani
It would take a brave punter to place any money on the Portuguese winger remaining at United beyond this summer. That Ferguson was happy to sanction a sale of the 26-year-old former Sporting player over the winter says much – Nani’s time at Old Trafford is surely up.

Having arrived for a little over €25 million – £17 million in 2007 prices – it is unlikely United will realise a profit on the winger, who has only intermittently fulfilled his undoubted potential. Indeed, for around 18 months or so after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure there was genuine belief that Nani could replace his fellow Portuguese’s star turn.

The output had normally been productive though. The 12 goals and 13 assists produced last season was matched by few in Nani’s position across the major European leagues. And by the end of the 2010/11 campaign many were shocked that Nani was left out of the nominations for Player of the Year.

But with the player having appeared in just 20 games all season – 14 starts – he has done little  to command a substantial fee, or indeed the hefty wages the player has reportedly sought.

Injury had played a part, but in truth the player is no longer first choice even when fit. That players with less natural talent – Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, for example – are ahead in the pecking order is a measure of just how many of his six years at Old Trafford Nani had wasted.

Expect to see Nani sold to a continental club this summer. Juventus, Paris Saint German, and mid-tier Spanish clubs might be in the bidding at around £12-15 million.

Premier League 2012/2013
Starts: 6
Sub: 4
Minutes Played: 546
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Passing accuracy: 80%
Chances created: 10

« « » »

Anderson
There has rarely been a more disappointment with a player that has graced Old Trafford. Not that there has ever really been any doubt about Anderson’s talent, even if the Brazilian has only recently improved on a history of shockingly wasteful passing. Instead the anticlimax comes in a talent completely unfulfilled; a €30 million fee that will never be recovered and has seldom brought value.

Injuries have stolen much of Anderson’s lustre over six seasons, but that is only a partial truth. The player, a most un-Brazilian Brazilian, has let himself down far too often. Those late nights, the partying when injured, a body not maintained at its optimum, and a casual attitude to training that has so often frustrated. United’s investment has rarely been match by Anderson’s professionalism.

In that Anderson had damaged his most precious asset: the burst of pace and athleticism that brought the player to international recognition as a 17-year-old trequartista in Brazil.

True, Ferguson has rarely deployed the player in an attacking role, where his supporters maintain the former Gremio midfielder performs best. There is scant evidence of that, but in truth little to support Anderson’s involvement as more orthodox midfielder either.

Ferguson has been steadfast in his support. Yet, there is an inescapable sense that Anderson is a regret whose closure will only come with a departure this summer. Expect the midfielder’s return to Portugal for somewhere south of £10 million.

Premier League 2012/2013
Starts: 7
Sub: 6
Minutes Played: 624
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
Passing accuracy: 88%
Chances created: 10

« « » »

Wayne Rooney
The former Evertonian is no longer a boy – not with more than 400 appearances now on the clock for United. Yet, there is an inescapable feeling that Rooney is on the down-slope of a career that perhaps hasn’t hit the stratospheric heights once expected.

Make no mistake, Rooney’s is an exceptional talent. Here is a player equally comfortable at ‘nine’, ’10’ or in a conventional midfield role, as recently witnessed.

But this flexibility has damaged Rooney’s output this season, with the Scouser rarely deployed as United’s striking focal point. Instead, in a slightly withdrawn role Rooney has intermittently excelled. It has been a season of highs, lows and a little too much mediocrity.

Yet, the question isn’t really about Rooney’s value to United, nor his natural talent, but whether the 26-year-old still has the hunger and physical capability to perform with the elite. That burst of searing pace has gone, while the player is no longer in finest shape.

No longer first choice striker, Rooney could soon be usurped in the ‘shadow’ role by Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa. It is an uncomfortable time for a player who has scored 197 goals for the club.

Could United cash in this summer with PSG reportedly interested? Certainly there are few clubs that could afford the England-international’s astronomical wages, although the transfer fee might be lower than £25 million.

Premier League 2012/2013
Starts: 21
Sub: 4
Minutes Played: 1910
Goals: 12
Assists: 10
Passing accuracy: 83%
Chances created: 37

« « » »

Javier Hernández
Few will be celebrate if the effervescent Mexican departs Old Trafford this summer. But with the striker afforded so few opportunities a fresh start away from Manchester might suit the 24-year-old. Real Madrid’s long-standing interest has not been solidified with an official bid, but there is sure to be heavy interest from Spain should United seek to cash in on a player who has scored 16 goals this season.

Hernández still has plenty to offer, but Robin van Persie’s arrival means there are unlikely to be any more opportunities for the Mexican next season. Hernández moves on or settles for a long-term squad role.

After all, while Rooney, Danny Welbeck, and to some extent van Persie, offer flexibility, Hernández is really only effective in one role. And even if Rooney leaves the club this summer, the Scouser’s departure will surely only come if Ferguson’s brings in a top-class replacement.

Premier League 2012/2013
Starts: 7
Sub: 11
Minutes Played: 779
Goals: 8
Assists: 2
Passing accuracy: 82%
Chances created: 11

« « » »

Anders Lindegaard
The season began with Sir Alex lauding the benefits of rotating his two main goalkeepers – David de Gea and Lindegaard. The campaign draws to a close with David de Gea not only established as United’s first choice stopper, but one of the top two performers in the Premier League. Indeed, Lindegaard’s fall from grace has been so stark since a calamitous performance against Reading at the Madejski in December that it will surprise few if the Danish international moves on in the summer. After all, Ben Amos has patiently waited in the wings for an opportunity, while England under-19 ‘keeper Sam Johnstone is thought of highly by United’s coaching staff.

Just eight starts in the Premier League this season means that Lindegaard is also likely to miss out on a winners’ medal unless Ferguson takes pity on the 29-year-old former Aalesund player. The Dane is likely to be available for around £2 million.

Premier League 2012/2013
Starts: 8
Minutes Played: 720
Goals conceded: 11
Errors: 1
Saves: 18