Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho will be forced to sell players before he can buy in the January transfer window.
The Special One has spent £285million on transfers in just over a year at the club, with the wage bill rising an incredible 13.5 per cent to £263.5m.
Despite the spending, Man United sit eight points behind Manchester City in the Premier League, after their disappointing 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday.
Since taking over the reins at Old Trafford, United chiefs have given Mourinho the green light to invest heavily in the squad.
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Mega-money signings such as Paul Pogba were sanctioned by the club in the belief the ex-Chelsea boss could turn United back into Premier League title contenders.
However, after a hot start to the season, with United matching rivals City blow-for-blow, the red half of Manchester have fallen away in recent weeks when pitted against top six clubs.
With Mourinho seemingly no closer to leading United to their first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, the club are looking to control cost.
The Old Trafford board will now look to bring money in before sanctioning any more incoming transfers.
Luke Shaw – signed in 2014 for £27m – is one player expected to be sold early in the January window, having fallen out of favour under Mourinho.
The left-back, 22, was tipped tipped to become one of the best defenders on the planet, but has now started just four Premier League games in 12 months.
Southampton are interested in bringing their former full-back to St Mary’s for a second stint.
Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini could be on the move, despite thriving this season and becoming one of Mourinho’s personal favourites.
While the Belgian star has been a near ever-present this season, he was recently spotted in Turkey, as three Super Lig sides mull over a January swoop for the midfielder.
Since Mourinho took charge in Manchester, 16 players have left the club, with only two commanding a “big” transfer fee – Memphis Depay (£16m) and Morgan Schneiderlin (£22m).
