Though it will be new signings that excite Manchester United fans most this summer, the upcoming transfer window is as equally as important in relation to outgoings at Old Trafford.
After several years of stockpiling below-par players and watching some areas of the squad become bloated, Erik ten Hag is planning to be ruthless when it comes to a clearout. United only obtained fees for two first-team players last summer when there were five permanent additions.
It is a track record that United need to start altering this summer, both for the sake of the club's finances and the overall balance of the squad. But when it has come to the art of sending youngsters out on loan, that is something the Reds have had success with over the last few seasons.
After the success of James Garner's loan spell at Nottingham Forest during the 2021/22 campaign, United turned to the Championship again last summer, sending the likes of Ethan Laird, Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal Mejbri and Amad to second-tier clubs. The latter enjoyed the most fruitful campaign of the aforementioned quartet, playing a starring role in Sunderland achieving an unexpected top-six finish.
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After a failed short-term loan stint north of the border with Rangers in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, Amad made the most of his time on Wearside, dazzling Sunderland fans week after week. He made a total of 42 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 14 goals and grabbing four assists.
It was a loan spell that could prove to be the making of him, and he'll no doubt now be knocking on Ten Hag's door in the hope of sealing a first-team spot at Old Trafford ahead of next season. Like so many others, the Ivorian found that the Championship was the ideal setting for his potential to be unleashed on a regular basis, starring in a competitive environment.
It is why United should be looking to send more of their up-and-coming stars in need of first-team football to the Championship for next season. The club's youth ranks are awash with exciting talents that would benefit from first-team football, as opposed to applying their trade at either Under-18s or Under-21s level.
Among that crop of talent is Zidane Iqbal, who is most definitely beyond the point where youth football is still serving a purpose in his development. He was the breakout star of United's pre-season tour in Thailand and Australia almost 12 months ago, stepping off the bench in all of the four friendlies Ten Hag's side played.
He instantly got supporters out of their seats and attracted plenty of attention with his silky skills and composure in possession. Many thought that his performances on the tour would secure him a place in Ten Hag's plans for the season. They were wrong.
Even if Iqbal, as a 20-year-old, only anticipated getting the odd appearance in a cup competition here or there and a few minutes off the bench in the Premier League, he will have been left bitterly disappointed.
He failed to store a single minute's worth of first-team football under his belt, despite being named on the bench on 17 separate occasions. He was also leapfrogged in the pecking order by fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo, meaning the latter has now moved ahead of the Iraq international in the queue to become a first-team regular.
Iqbal is now at a juncture in his career, just as Amad was last summer, where he needs regular first-team football to prove himself. United cannot continue asking him to play for the Under-21s in the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy; he needs first-team experience, rubbing shoulders with senior pros in a competitive environment.
It is why, based on the success of other United youngsters who had previously gone out on loan, the Championship could be the ideal setting for his career to take its next step. A plethora of clubs would almost certainly jump at the chance to sign someone of Iqbal's potential, which is patiently waiting for its breakthrough moment.
The youngster was understood to have been left frustrated when United did not grant him a loan exit back in January, blocking a potential departure because they were light in the engine room. They cannot deny him that opportunity again.
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