Manchester United need to sell nine players this summer

When it comes to the art of selling players at the right time for the right price, Manchester United still have so much to learn.

News of Zidane Iqbal's impending move to FC Utrecht, thought to be for a fee in the region of £850,000, is another prime example of mismanagement when it comes to outgoings at Old Trafford. United are letting go of one of the hottest properties for literally nothing, so much so that no shortage of supporters picked up their phones and opened up their social media applications to vent their fury on Tuesday evening.

Had Iqbal been granted the loan spell he wanted back in January, it could have been so different for both the midfielder and the club. A loan may have increased his valuation and made United think twice about letting him go.

But based on how the club has operated when it has come to player sales in recent years, it is hardly surprising. United, time and time again, have got it wrong when it has come to cutting their cloth, either holding onto players for too long or handing out lengthy, lucrative contracts.

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The squad has become bloated and awash with players who have absolutely no futures under Erik ten Hag, who is attempting to mastermind the big clearout that the club has needed for so long. United have developed a habit for tying fringe players down to big contracts, making it almost impossible for them to be shifted when outside parties have registered interest in taking them off their hands.

That has resulted in the wage bill becoming enormous, as United are not proactive or successful when it comes to selling players at the right time. This summer, however, it has to be different.

Ten Hag wants to add fresh blood to several areas