Manchester United's plans for a squad clearout were already apparent in the Old Trafford dressing room

When those of us fortunate to participate in the press game at Old Trafford entered the home dressing room last month, the names of the Manchester United players had already been removed.

You may have noticed in pictures posted by players or visitors on the stadium tour that the designated changing area for a player is usually accompanied by their name and squad number. For our post-Premier League season run-out last year, the names were still on show.

"They've already started the clearout," quipped a regular at United home games for last month's kick about. Easier said than done.

Alvaro Fernandez had probably cleared his flat before his transfer to Benfica was made permanent and Monza-bound Omari Forson had one foot out of the door before the season had ended. Forson was not spotted at Wembley during the FA Cup final.

Neither are household names. Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are and squad numbers 9 and 19 are now vacant. United could do with a statement sale, though.

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Mason Greenwood or Jadon Sancho would not fall into that category. They are United players in name only and the club is comfortable with whipping up interest in two forwards who should not play again for United due to drastically different reasons.

Nor would reserve defenders Victor Lindelof or Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with 12 years of service between them. Christian Eriksen's value has crept up after a productive start to the European Championship but the 32-year-old is not going to be among the items listed at an auction.

Until recent years, the seller's market was an afterthought for United.