Erik ten Hag's ruthless edge was evident again last month when he sanctioned the sale of Zidane Iqbal to FC Utrecht.
News of Iqbal's departure came almost from nowhere, with sources telling the Manchester Evening News a fortnight ago that a fee, believed to be around €1million, had been accepted. He completed his medical in the following days and that was that.
The 20-year-old impressed during pre-season last summer and was kept on while others left on loan, but a failure to break into Ten Hag's plans - he was named on the bench 17 times but did not make a single first-team appearance - did little to aid his development.
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United's decision to sell Iqbal this summer was well-reasoned. In the modern game, 20 is no longer young, and the midfielder had not progressed to the point that Ten Hag could see a future with him in the picture.
What seemingly frustrated supporters was the fee, with €1million barely enough to pay the club's top earners for a few weeks. Despite his lack of first-team minutes, Iqbal was - and is - a hugely promising talent with massive potential. Utrecht must have been counting their blessings.
More important than the bottom line, however, is the insertion of a 40 per cent sell-on clause in the deal which sources cite when describing the sale as a 'no-lose situation'. There is also a buyback clause that would give United first refusal on a re-signing.
The Dutch league has often provided an ideal environment for young talent to develop. A technically and tactically advanced division, but one that maybe lacks the physical edge of Premier League football and certainly one that lacks the all-consuming pressures.
An ideal scenario would see Iqbal go some way to fulfilling his potential, with that €1million valuation increasing significantly, at which point United can either bring him back to Old Trafford for a bargain fee or earn millions for a player they have not spent any time or resource on for years.
Should the Iraq international fail to kick on, then the club will feel they made the right decision in offloading him when they did.
This very tactic was deployed last summer when the club sold Tahith Chong to Birmingham City for £1.45million. The young winger was way down the pecking order and had impressed on loan at St Andrew's the previous season, with both parties agreeing on the deal which included a 25 per cent sell-on clause.
Newly promoted Luton Town are now eyeing the 23-year-old as they attempt to build a squad fit to survive in the Premier League. They are by no means big spenders but Birmingham will hope to make a tidy profit on their investment, given he registered four goals and five assists in an otherwise dismal campaign for the Midlands side.
Should a transfer go through, United will bank a quarter of the fee which could amount to a few extra million - not to be sniffed at with Financial Fair Play concerns restricting this summer's spending.
It would also serve as justification for the sale of Iqbal and, more importantly, the fee which was so poorly received when the transfer news broke two weeks ago.
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