The January transfer window has been open for 10 days and Manchester United are set to have a busy month, especially following the recent sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim. In addition to generating funds from the sale of players during this period, United will also benefit from special clauses included in former players’ contracts.
The return of Anthony Elanga, Álvaro Fernandes and Maxi Odayele, as well as other transfer-related clauses, have already been finalized. Chelsea paid United £5m to cancel their obligation to sign Jadon Sancho, while Marseille paid a further £5m to add Mason Greenwood to their squad and secure Champions League football, resulting in United buying an additional 10 per cent of his financial rights.
The total income from these three transfers and the signings of Sancho and Greenwood is a whopping £25.6m. However, United could make even more money in the future.
They have included a hefty 40% sell-on clause in Greenwood’s contract, meaning they will receive almost half of his future sales fee if Marseille decide to sell him.
After being loaned to Getafe for the 2023/2024 season, he never wore a United shirt again, eventually signing a permanent contract with Marseille, where he has performed brilliantly.
Scott McTominay, who is currently enjoying the highest numbers of his career at Napoli, will part ways with United in August 2024. The Red Devils were wise to include a 10 per cent sell-on clause in his contract, which could be a huge benefit given McTominay’s height in the game.
Another former United player, Zidan Iqbal, currently playing for Utrecht in the Netherlands, has a hefty 40 per cent sell-on clause in his contract.
High-profile youngster Hannibal Mabry, who moved to Burnley in 2024, has an even larger 50 per cent sell clause in his contract.
Similar clauses are likely to be included in other contracts, and United could potentially make significant money over the next few transfer windows, especially if these players command big transfer fees.
If Koby Mainu and Joshua Zirkzee decide to look for pastures new in the January window, it would be wise for United to include significant sell-on clauses in their contracts, especially for Mainu, whose immense potential is undeniable.
