Manchester United could profit from three unexpected transfer deals this summer

There will be plenty of European interest for Manchester United when football resumes after the international break, and not just in a Europa League quarter-final against Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Ruben Amorim's side are trying to salvage their season in the Europa League, but in the Champions League, Marcus Rashford is looking to continue his vibrant start at Aston Villa against Paris St-Germain, while Antony (Real Betis) and Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) will both be confident of reaching the Conference League final.

It says a lot about the state of the United squad that three senior forwards have departed on loan deals in the last two transfer windows, but at least a couple of them are working at the moment.

Rashford has been impressive at Villa Park, even though he is yet to get on the scoresheet. He was won over supporters, and Villa will seriously consider activating the option to sign him permanently this summer.

But even if they decide against that, if the 27-year-old can maintain this form he will widen his options heading into the window. Barcelona was his dream destination in January, and although the Nou Camp club will again be dealing with financial issues, they could look to make a deal happen based on what Rashford is doing at Villa.

Antony has also shone in La Liga, registering four goals and four assists in 11 appearances, pushing himself closer to a return to the Brazilian national team. That January loan move didn't include an option to buy, but Betis have made it clear they want to keep the 25-year-old for the 2025/26 season and push through another temporary deal.

United will prioritise a permanent departure before another loan deal and Antony's form reminds suitors of the talent he displayed at Ajax. A market will surely form for him in the summer if he can maintain the levels he is showing for Betis.

United are certainly happy with how both of those January moves have gone. They are generating a summer market with their performances and have "recharged themselves as footballers".

If that translates into summer sales, then United could get a £60million+ boost to their budget in a key first window under Amorim. That figure will be swelled further by Jadon Sancho's future.

As it stands, Chelsea have an obligation to sign the 25-year-old for a fee in the region of £20million to £25million, but the Stamford Bridge side are considering pulling out of the deal.

A penalty clause written into the season-long loan would allow Chelsea to terminate that obligation, but they would have to pay United a "significant" fee to do so. That is described by one Old Trafford source as a "win-win" situation, banking them cash while returning the player to the club.

It would present a dilemma over Sancho's future. Reintegrating him into Amorim's squad hasn't been entirely ruled out, but a lot of water has travelled under the bridge in the relationship between club and player. The latest example of that was Sancho posting the caption "freedom" when Rashford posted a picture of himself in a Villa shirt on Instagram.

Chelsea are considering pulling out of the deal because Sancho's form for them has tailed off alarmingly, with only goal contribution since September. That would reduce the market for him this summer, although the fee United pocket from Chelsea could also allow them to lower their own demands.

Alternatively, Sancho could be loaned out if a club covers most of his wages for what might end up being the final year of his contract in 2025/26. Either way, United certainly won't lose out if Chelsea opt against going through with their obligation.

That could yet make it a profitable summer for the club when it comes to three big loanees.