Manchester United prepared to sell players they would prefer to keep in transfer window

The Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules have forced Manchester United to consider selling players they would prefer to keep.

United are realistic about the market for certain sellable assets in their squad and concede there are unlikely to be many takers for other players who have become peripheral at the club.

Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both out of contract next year, will be allowed to leave for acceptable fees and United are open to offers for the majority of their squad members.

United's stance is slightly similar to last year when they reiterated they were content to keep Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay but were also open to offers for both players.

West Ham United had a £30million offer accepted for Maguire and a £30m bid rejected for McTominay. Maguire did not leave as United failed to stump up an agreeable offer to recompense for what would have been a shortfall in wages.

READ MORE: Out of contract player open to staying at United

EXCLUSIVE: United want three key signings

Maguire and McTominay have been two of a handful of respectable performers at United this season but they are approaching the final year of their contracts. United have the option of an additional year in the deals of both players.

As an academy graduate, McTominay would represent a pure profit under the PSR rules. The 27-year-old midfielder has scored a career-best ten goals this season and he is certain to start for Scotland at the European Championship.

United inserted options to buy in the loan deals for Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri, while Benfica have an obligation to buy Alvaro Fernandez if he plays a certain number of games on loan.

Van de Beek has started four times for Eintracht Frankfurt