Manchester United and Dan Ashworth plot £200m transfer cull as six priorities named

With Dan Ashworth now firmly in place as sporting director, Manchester United are poised to kick their squad revamp into high gear in preparation for the upcoming season.

The Red Devils had already been eyeing potential signings before finalising Ashworth's move from Newcastle. Now that he's on board, the club is expected to accelerate their overhaul plans, with manager Erik ten Hag and his squad returning for pre-season training next week.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has acknowledged the enormity of the challenge at Old Trafford, suggesting it could take "two or three summer windows" to see significant progress. This summer marks the first transfer window under Ratcliffe's watch, alongside Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, and incoming CEO Omar Berrada, who joins the team next week.

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Ratcliffe's call for a dose of reality this summer is apt, given the financial constraints imposed by the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR). While previous summers saw United splash out vast sums, compliance with PSR means a more modest budget this time around, believed to be in the region of £50m.

United are therefore looking to move on several more players to raise funds for upgrades, with three positions - centre-back, midfielder and striker - viewed as priorities in this window, reports the Mirror.

In terms of outgoings, United will, in effect, listen to offers for most of their squad, with the exception of Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and