Man Utd’s most valuable stars they could sell as club told to ‘flog assets over PSR worries’

Premier League icon Alan Shearer has suggested that Manchester United will need to offload high-value assets to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

As Ruben Amorim's initial transfer window nears its end, the Red Devils remain in an unenviable 12th place in the league, and the turbulence that many envisioned would depart with Erik ten Hag is still very much prevalent. Furthermore, in January, reports emerged stating that United were open to offers for several key players, as the club aimed to navigate choppy financial waters.

Now, ex-Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers ace Shearer – with fellow pundits Gary Lineker and Micah Richards – feels that the club will be forced to sell and sacrifice one of their three most valuable assets in Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.

"By all accounts, they've got no money to bring players in, so they're gonna have to sell. In terms of PSR," Shearer admitted on The Rest Is Football podcast.

"Who are their prime assets?" he asked, addressing a supporter's query about the sale of United's key figures. Richards answered: "Kobbie Mainoo." Lineker concurred: "Kobbie Mainoo would definitely be one."

Richards then stated: "Garnacho would probably fetch you £50million. They're talking about Napoli for £50m." Lineker highlighted another star, saying: "Bruno Fernandes, I'd think is. I mean he's a class player, and I think with a lot of perhaps better individuals around him I think he'd be standing out even more often. I mean, he's kind of held them together on a lot of occasions, so...

"He (Amorim) needs players that can play in the system that he wants to play. Because he says he is not gonna change, he's not gonna adapt. This is the way he believes it should be played, so therefore, their recruitment needs to be for players that can play in certain positions in the way that he wants them.

"They've made a real mess of it so far. I mean, they're talking about putting ticket prices up again because they are financially in difficulties – you think you're gonna put this on the fans? There are major concerns about that football club."

While rumours have embroiled many players, Fernandes has not been directly implicated in January move talks. Last month, Mainoo was linked to Chelsea amidst contract disagreement issues. Garnacho could also be subject to an Old Trafford exit before the transfer window slams shut, with both Napoli and Chelsea reportedly showing interest, reports the Mirror.

"I would sell a couple of the players, yeah, and I would just start again," Richards added, clearly indicating his support for a squad overhaul under Amorim's guidance. "I agree with Gary. The players don't know how to play the formation.

"Can they learn? Are they willing to learn? I would just start again. Can it get any worse? It can't get any worse than it already is, so you might as well start again with players who know the system."