Rashford and Onana exits stall, leaving United facing £23m wage burden

Manchester United begin the summer transfer window facing a £23m wage problem, with permanent exits for Marcus Rashford and André Onana both unresolved and the clock already ticking.

Barcelona’s £26m option to buy Rashford from his loan spell at the Catalan club expired on Monday without being activated. United have made clear that does not alter their intention to sell the winger permanently — they will not entertain another loan, including any return to Barcelona — but the hardline stance carries its own risk. Should no buyer emerge before the window closes, Rashford and his £16.9m annual salary would remain on the books at Old Trafford.

Rashford’s time at United effectively ended during disagreements with then-head coach Ruben Amorim. Loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona followed, and the club had accepted a permanent departure was the logical conclusion. The arrival of new manager Michael Carrick has not softened that position.

Onana presents a parallel headache. The Cameroon goalkeeper earns £6.24m a year and is considered surplus to requirements after Senne Lammens impressed sufficiently during his debut season to be viewed as a potential long-term No.1. Onana was allowed to join Trabzonspor on loan last summer, and the Turkish club have indicated confidence that a permanent deal can be agreed. Until that agreement is signed, however, United carry the financial exposure.

Combined, the two players account for £23.14m in annual wages — money that United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are determined to redirect toward strengthening the squad. Reducing the wage bill while improving the first team has been a stated priority since Ineos took operational control in February 2024. The departure of Casemiro, one of United’s highest earners, represented a step in that direction, but the saving is largely negated if Rashford and Onana cannot be moved on.

United have a number of positions they want to reinforce this summer, and the uncertainty surrounding two of their most expensive fringe players complicates the club’s ability to act freely in the market.