Man Utd 'handcuffed by FFP' says club legend

Stuart Telford

• 27 Aug 2023 09:06 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United could miss out on Sofyan Amrabat's signing due to UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations according to club legend Rio Ferdinand.

United have spent significantly this summer in bringing Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount to the club from Atalanta, Inter Milan and Chelsea respectively, but Erik ten Hag still wants reinforcements.

A priority is now a No.6 to sit beside Casemiro in midfield, and Fiorentina's Morocco World Cup hero Amrabat has been identified as the man for the job, provided the Red Devils can find around €30 million (£25.7m) for his transfer.

READ: Fiorentina boss BREAKS SILENCE on Amrabat to Man Utd links

But United were recently fined £256,744 by UEFA for a "minor breakeven deficit" and their remaining transfer kitty doesn't stretch to meet Fiorentina's asking price as things stand.

Ferdinand: 'Man Utd handcuffed'

"I'm told that United are handcuffed by Financial Fair Play, and more significant investment in the transfer market is unlikely unless they can generate cash by moving players on," Ferdinand wrote in his Sunday Mirror column.

"If a deal can be arranged to secure Harry Maguire's departure then that money must be given to Ten Hag for further reinforcements. Balancing the books is a fact of football life."

READ: Ten Hag GIVES UP on defender transfer after Maguire demands Man Utd DOUBLE payoff

United have raised more than £30m in selling five players this summer, getting the most for Anthony Elanga, who joined Nottingham Forest for £15m, but they were hoping for the same amount again just by selling Maguire to West Ham.

The player turned down the move - according to Sam Allardyce at least - and he remains on the books for now, though. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have also previously been credited with an interest in the England centre-back.

United are also in the market for a left-back in light of Luke Shaw's recent interest, with the free transfer acquisition of Ryan Bertrand looking most likely if they can’t persuade Chelsea to part ways with Marc Cucurella on loan.