Man Utd already know next two major exits after first of Sir Jim Ratcliffe era 'confirmed'

Manchester United have reportedly commenced their summer clearout by already striking an agreement for Alvaro Fernandez’s permanent transfer to Benfica. Sir Jim Ratcliffe may already know the first two major departures among a group of five players likely to follow Fernandez out the door.

United haven’t boasted a strong record of generating transfer fees throughout a mediocre decade since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

But their fortunes will have to improve this summer due to restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

INEOS will reportedly listen to offers for all first-team players except for Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

According to Record, United will add £5.1million to their transfer kitty early in the transfer window through Benfica’s move for Fernandez.

An agreement is said to be already in place for the 21-year-old left-back to join permanently after cutting his loan at Granada short to arrive in January.

At least five more United players will likely be out of the door by the end of June, including Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.

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Erik ten Hag recently confirmed that there had been no progress in discussions with Varane over a contract extension beyond this summer.

And Martial is also expected to depart after nine years in M16, going out on his latest injury-stricken season that may have derailed his hopes of staying put.

Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans are also out of contract on July 1, and it would be a significant surprise if either signed new terms, considering their combined age of 74.

A decision has reportedly already been made to send Sofyan Amrabat back to Fiorentina at the end of the season, snubbing the £21million buy option in his loan deal.

While the contract expiries would leave five vacancies in Ten Hag’s squad, Varane and Martial’s departures are the most notable, given they earn a combined £590,000 a week.

United would undoubtedly have preferred to sell both players, but offloading the French duo will free considerable space on the club’s wage bill to facilitate new arrivals.

It’s expected to be a transformative summer at Old Trafford, with the five soon-to-be free agents and Fernandez marking six first-team exits before July.

Several other senior stars are set to be culled as Ratcliffe transfers his ruthless off-field shake-up in recent months onto the pitch.