Manchester United could miss out on a £36.8m transfer windfall this summer

Whatever happens between now and the end of the Premier League season on May 19, an element of intrigue surrounds Manchester United ahead of this summer.

Since clinching minority ownership in February, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has wasted no time in implementing forward-thinking changes. John Murtough's exit as football director earlier this week has moved Ineos a step nearer towards completing its football restructure in M16.

Ineos want to replace Murtough with Dan Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave from Newcastle United, and install him as the club's inaugural sporting director. Working closely with Omar Berrada, plus Jason Wilcox, who the Reds want to extract from Southampton, Ashworth is expected to have a big say in the direction of the club's recruitment.

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But such is the complex situation concerning Ashworth and his contract with Newcastle, United have made no progress in their quest to secure his services. In the meantime, Matt Hargreaves will oversee recruitment plans ahead of this summer.

This summer's window, regardless of whether United are competing in Europe or not next season, promises to bring plenty of changes to the landscape of the first-team squad. United know they need to become more proactive in the seller's market and departures could reach double figures.

Amid the strictness of the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), United know they must improve their hit rate in the seller's market. They have not earned big enough fees for countless players in recent years, certainly for those who have