Buyers beware of Reds flops in summer sell-off

UNITED'S FIRE SALE NOT GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN

- TYRONE MARSHALL

FOR all of the riches Saudi Arabia's minted football clubs are throwing around Europe at the moment, none of it seems to be heading towards Old Trafford.

The exodus of players from big teams to the Saudi Pro League has been one of the stories of the summer transfer window and plenty of clubs have benefited, with Chelsea notable winners in the Premier League.

The Londoners are easing their own financial fair play concerns by selling some of their unwanted players to Saudi Arabia and, in particular, the country's four biggest clubs, who have seen investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently.

But none of that cash has yet come the way of United, who have flops of their own to off-load.

The Reds are often criticised for the difficulty they have in selling players, but the reasons for that are manifold and it looks to be an area they are improving under Erik ten Hag.

The decision to sell James Garner last summer was ruthless but came about because his value was high after a successful loan spell, while he wasn't considered close enough to having an impact on the first team.

Although the fees have been small, similar calls have been made with Zidane Iqbal and Ethan Laird in this window.