Michael Carrick’s debut summer as Manchester United boss is rapidly becoming the club’s busiest in recent years. The World Cup poses a threat to delay matters, but the club is already taking steps to ensure the tournament won’t impact their transfer activity.
It’s not solely at Old Trafford where developments are working in United’s favour, either. The club is poised to profit from one deal scheduled to occur well beyond Manchester, which could deliver some significant returns for Carrick’s rebuilding efforts.
Greenwood sale could net United £19m windfall
Two years after his Old Trafford departure, Mason Greenwood’s next destination appears set to secure United a profitable return. Marseille paid £26.6m to acquire the forward in the summer of 2024, and he could generate a comparable sum for his former club should he join Fenerbahce as anticipated.
United secured a 40 per cent sell on clause within Greenwood’s transfer to the south of France. Les Olympiens are now reportedly demanding a minimum of £43m for the player, who was suspended by United and later departed following allegations of sexual assault, which Greenwood vigorously denied, with the charges subsequently being dropped.
Presidential candidate claims deal is done
Much hinges on the result of this weekend’s presidential ballot, with Aziz Yildirim and Hakan Safi broadly regarded as the two leading candidates. Safi has even gone as far as to assert that a four year deal has already been struck with Greenwood, ready to be finalised should he triumph on Sunday, which would represent a £19m windfall for United.
“We have signed a four year agreement with Mason Greenwood,” he declared. “He has proven himself at the highest level of European football.
“He has agreed to join Fenerbahce during the most valuable and productive years of his career. I said I would bring a star player. Today, I am experiencing the justified pride of keeping my promise.”
In what represents a win win scenario for United, it’s claimed former Fener chief Yildirim will also pursue the signing of Greenwood should he regain his previous position. That should provide Carrick with assurance that the sell on funds will land in the club’s budget at some point this summer.
Greenwood has reportedly fuelled speculation of a switch himself after it was suggested he began following Safi on Instagram. Sunday’s outcome of Fenerbahce’s presidential election may therefore serve as a prelude to United banking a substantial sum in the weeks ahead.
De Jong ‘very angry’ at exit rumours
Frenkie de Jong has revealed his fury after feeling as though he was being pushed to quit Barcelona and join United. Relentless speculation linked the Netherlands midfielder with a switch to Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s arrival in 2022, though De Jong rode out the upheaval and remains a dependable figure at the Camp Nou.
The constant chatter surrounding a potential move to Manchester prompted De Jong to cut off all contact with the media. That silence only lifted this year when he penned a fresh deal until 2029, and he’s now opened up about his frustration at feeling forced out of Barca previously.
When asked whether he held the media responsible for failing to forge a stronger bond between himself and the supporters, he told SPORT: “A little, yes. That’s why I think I made a mistake by ceasing to speak to the press.
“There was a time when they pressured me to leave the club and there came a point when I was very angry and didn’t want to talk anymore. But that’s what I was saying before: people only hear opinions or things through the press and newspapers, and they don’t listen to you.”
De Jong proceeded to highlight Barca’s precarious financial circumstances in recent years as being a key reason behind the exit links: “Barca was in a bit of a difficult financial situation, and, well, there are always teams that call players to ask if they want to come or not.”
The bottom line
A 40 per cent sell on clause. A £43m asking price. A presidential election that could trigger a £19m windfall.
Carrick didn’t have to lift a finger. The money is coming whether he likes it or not.
Frenkie de Jong, meanwhile, is staying put and he’s furious anyone thought otherwise.
United’s summer is shaping up nicely. And they haven’t even spent anything yet.
