There’s no doubt Manchester United know how to spend big on transfers having spent almost £1 billion on transfer fees alone since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.  

The arrivals of global superstars such as Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria and Zlatan Ibrahimovic prove that bringing players into the club is very much United’s forte. 

However, issues arise when the club attempt to ship players out of the club for an adequate fee.  

Every summer transfer window appears to bring about another baffling transfer fee for a player United have sold. 

  • United's ludicrous outgoing bargains 

Notable sales of players under 30 for ludicrously low prices include: Paul Pogba (Free), Wilfried Zaha (£3.5m), Rafael (£3m), Nani (£5m), Jonny Evans (£7m), Javier Hernandez (£10m), Memphis Depay (£14m) and Adnan Januzaj (£7.5m).

United also have a problem with retaining the high fees paid for star players as seen with the deals to sell Di Maria and Romelu Lukaku just one and two years respectively after their arrivals.  

Both arrived for fees upwards of £60 million before being sold on for a £10 million loss each meaning, excluding wages and all other costs, the two players cost United £20 million on transfer fees alone for just three combined seasons.  

  • Show us how its done

The answer to United’s issues is very clear and can be taken directly from their Premier League rivals Chelsea. 

Marina Granovskaia, the Director of Football at Chelsea, has been responsible for some of the most money-savvy sales in recent footballing history since her arrival in 2014. 

Chelsea excel in selling players who they view as expendable for much higher than their actual market value.  

Such players include: Alvaro Morata (£50m), Diego Costa (£60m), Oscar (£55m), Ramires (£25m), Nemanja Matic (£40m), Petr Cech (£12m), Juan Cuadrado (£20m), Filipe Luis (£15m), David Luiz (£50m to Paris St. Germain) as well as his £8m departure to Arsenal at the age of 32. 

All of the aforementioned players were either past their prime or viewed as unneeded to the first team at the time of sale yet still departed for such lofty fees. 

Chelsea appear to have also perfected the loan system in a way that massively benefits them financially. 

The sales of Mario Pasalic (£13m), Bertrand Traore (£9m), Christian Atsu (£7m) and Romelu Lukaku (£31m) are all prime examples of players that Chelsea were able to sell for a substantial profit despite making little to no first team appearances for the first team, all thanks to their performances out on loan. 

With United reportedly looking at shifting on more players this summer, such as Jesse Lingard, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, it appears the time is now to take a leaf from Chelsea’s book and start selling players for a good price.