Man United can line up FFP-boosting swoop for star already identified as ideal Anthony Martial replacement

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it is no secret that changes are in the offing at Manchester United this summer.

Following confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment in February, the Failsworth-born businessman has wasted little time in stamping his authority at Old Trafford. After immediately addressing urgent off-field issues, attention will soon switch to strengthening the squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

United, as reported by the Manchester Evening News in February, are planning for record sales. It is possible the number of players released or sold could run into double figures.

As well as needing to use the transfer market to offload players, it is also possible United will also make the most of expiring contracts to clear the decks. That will be the case as far as Anthony Martial is concerned.

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The Frenchman's deal is up at the end of June and he is not going to be offered fresh terms, meaning his nine-year spell in M16 will draw to a close – leaving Rasmus Hojlund as the club's only out-and-out senior centre-forward. Manager Erik ten Hag has already confirmed that United will have to act on that by bringing in a second striker in as many years.

"I think it would help [to sign a striker]," he said. "As I always had in this plan we constructed that we should have had enough goals. You count on goals from Rashy [Marcus Rashford] – last season he had 30 – you count on goals from Martial."

Martial's impending exit, as Ten Hag has highlighted, will leave a void within the squad that requires