Manchester United could be preparing for another major squad rebuild next summer, with Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford among several experienced players whose positions at Old Trafford are reportedly uncertain.

According to a report by Football Insider on Saturday, October 31, 2026, former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson believes the club may use the end of the current season to reduce its wage bill. Such a move could involve allowing some of its highest-paid players to leave as United look to improve their financial position.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson named four senior players who could be nearing the end of their time at the club. Alongside Maguire, Shaw and Rashford, he mentioned captain Bruno Fernandes, whose future has also been the subject of considerable discussion.

Borson suggested that United could benefit financially from parting ways with players who command significant salaries. Reducing those commitments would potentially give the club more room to manage its finances and plan for future additions.

However, the possible exits would create a difficult task for the recruitment department. Losing several established first-team players at the same time would leave gaps in the squad that would need to be addressed through the transfer market.

The financial challenge could be made more complicated by the rising cost of signing top-level footballers. Borson believes leading players are increasingly attracting transfer fees of around £100 million, meaning United may struggle to replace their departing stars without making substantial investments.

He therefore warned that the club would need to be particularly effective in identifying and signing suitable replacements. Rather than repeatedly competing for the most expensive targets, United would have to make smart recruitment decisions to maintain the quality of their squad.

Fernandes remains a significant part of the wider conversation about the club's long-term plans. However, the potential changes being discussed are not limited to the Portuguese midfielder, as several other senior figures could also be affected by a possible restructuring.

There are additional concerns among supporters about the futures of Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Mason Mount. Their situations have contributed to broader uncertainty about which players will remain part of the team in the coming seasons.

For Manchester United, allowing high earners to depart could provide greater financial flexibility, but it would also carry considerable sporting risks. Replacing experienced players requires more than simply identifying available transfer targets; the club must ensure that any new arrivals can adapt and contribute effectively.

Consequently, next summer could become a crucial period for United's squad planning. The club will need to balance its financial priorities with the need to maintain a competitive team, particularly if several important players leave during the same transfer window.