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With an annual salary budget of £236m, Manchester United boast one of the most exorbitant wage bills across all sports. Nevertheless, the Red Devils do believe in conserving pennies in order to fund the big money moves they initiate in every other transfer window.
Their cost-cutting measures include player sales, sending promising youngsters on loans, and a balanced wage structure that has multiple entries over both ends of the spectrum.
Manchester United have multiple players out on loan at the moment
As mentioned earlier, United send away a lot of players on a temporary basis to let them gain some much-needed exposure, all the while saving money on their salaries. The 2021 transfer window was no different. Manchester United sanctioned loan deals for as many as five first-team players, freeing up space for their new arrivals in the process.
Versatile and budding full-back Brandon Williams managed to secure an interim move to Premier League newbies Norwich City. Meanwhile, 25-year-old United outcast Andreas Pereira was exiled to Flamengo for his second successive and fourth overall loan spell.
Elsewhere, Axel Tuanzebe returned to Villa Park for his third loan stint with Aston Villa. Youngsters Tahith Chong and Facundo Pellistri also procured temporary moves to Birmingham City and Deportivo Alaves, respectively.
With so many salary reductions occurring in the same window, Manchester United saved a lot of revenue on these transfers. Nevertheless, the Red Devils already have a number of notable players on considerably low wages. On that note, let's take a look at five of the most underpaid Manchester United players at the moment:
(Note: all wages are taken from spotrac.com)
#5 Victor Lindelöf - £120,000 per week
With the signing of Raphael Varane for €40m, Manchester United have all but confirmed their first-choice center-back partnership at the back. Club captain Harry Maguire and newcomer Varane will definitely be Ole Gunnar Solskjær's preferred defensive duo, leaving Swedish stalwart Victor Lindelöf on the bench.
The 27-year-old center-half was signed by Manchester United in 2017 for €35m. While Lindelöf is expected to play a rotational role this term, he has shown glimpses of his obvious talent in the past.
The winner of the best Swedish footballer of the year on two occasions, Lindelöf forged a decent partnership with Maguire last season, playing 35 of the designated 38 games.
Despite his continuous and consistent service, Manchester United have him on an average payroll, providing him with £120,000 on a weekly basis. Even though Lindelöf has had his sporadic struggles, the reliable defender has proved his worth time and time again.
However, with a clear upgrade in their hands, Manchester United are destined to undervalue the efforts of Lindelöf by giving him limited game time as well as wages.
#4 Diogo Dalot - £25,000 per week
Diogo Dalot joined Manchester United in 2018 as a highly-rated prospect. However, the Portuguese right-back could only spend two underwhelming seasons with the Red Devils, before being spat out on loan to AC Milan. With United announcing the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019, most fans assumed it would be the end of Dalot's career in England.
Nevertheless, an inspiring loan spell in Milan has revitalized the youngster's career. Due to his impressive one-year stay in Italy, Dalot attracted a lot of interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
At the time of writing, the 22-year-old right-back is pocketing a paycheck of just £25,000 per week with Manchester United. However, if he can continue with the form that earned him some well-earned praise, the Red Devils will be obliged to give him a raise. Dalot's superb offensive skills could suit United's trademark style of counterattacking. But it remains to be seen if he can force his way into Solskjaer's thinking at Old Trafford.
Also read: 5 players who could still leave the Premier League
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka - £90,000 per week
Manchester United's first-choice right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, is criminally underpaid by the club. Earning a nominal wage of £90,000 per week, he is Ole Gunnar Solskjær's trusted defender on the right flank, keeping the aforementioned Dalot on the bench.
While the 23-year-old full-back lacks flair in the crossing department, he is more than capable of standing his own ground against any impending threat. In fact, Wan-Bissaka is one of the best defenders in the Premier League when it comes to one-on-one defending. Despite his abilities, he ranks a lowly 19th in the Manchester United squad in terms of weekly wages.
Purchased in 2019 for a sizeable fee of €55m, Wan-Bissaka has cemented his position as a starter in no time. Still uncapped at the international level due to an exceeding number of quality right-backs at Gareth Southgate's disposal, Wan-Bissaka has already racked up 103 appearances for the Red Devils.
With three years remaining on his current contract, Manchester United have the option of having him on nominal wages for at least two seasons.
#2 Mason Greenwood - £75,000 per week
Definitely the brightest prospect in the United squad at the moment, Mason Greenwood has had a lightning start to the Premier League season. The promising Englishman has scored three goals in four games, taking his Manchester United goal tally to 32. At 19, Greenwood is already exuding the class of a seasoned striker.
However, due to his tender age and lack of experience, the England international is only paid a nominal salary of £75,000 per week. Such wages are considerably low for a man of Greenwood's talent, with the likes of Martin Braithwaite and Munir El Haddadi earning much more than him.
A product of the esteemed Manchester United academy, Greenwood has been a revelation ever since he signed a professional contract with the first team. Nevertheless, the versatile forward is yet to receive a monetary bonus for his performances. With his contract not up until 2025, a salary hike in the near future looks very unlikely.
#1 Scott McTominay - £20,000 per week
A surprise but understandable entry in the first place, Scott McTominay's rise to prominence has been undervalued ever since he made his debut for Manchester United in 2017. As a result, the Scottish midfielder only earns a paltry £20,000 weekly salary at Old Trafford.
Used as a double pivot alongside Fred at times, McTominay is arguably the more adept defensive player of the two. Capable of transitioning into a box-to-box midfielder, the 24-year-old Scotland international has scored some worldies in his 135 appearances for Manchester United.
Valued at a career-high €35m at the moment, McTominay has the potential to become a regular with the Red Devils if he can maintain his form and fitness record.
With his current contract running up to 2025, an immediate salary hike looks unlikely. Although he is currently out due to an injury, McTominay is expected to start almost every game for Manchester United when he is back to full fitness.
Also read: 4 players who should never play for Barcelona again
