The team that beat them:
Cooper (2 million)
Souttar (loan)
Robinson (500k)
Burrows (3 million).
Gilchrist (loan)
JRS (1 million loan fee)
Peck (academy)
One (academy)
T Davies (free).
McCallum (free)
T Campbell (free)
Callum O' Hare (free)
Hamer (13 million)
Souza (8 million)
RND (academy).
Seriki (academy)
The only players that have made a big impact on our season that didn't play are Moore (1.5 million) Arblaster (academy) and Anel (4 million?).
8 of United's current 25 man squad are academy graduates. The only remaining big name from Prem season 1+2 under Wilder is Brewster (who didn't feature).
United signed one permanent player in five transfer windows prior to the last promotion. Our wage bill is unlikely to be high due to the huge exodus at the start of this season, and most of the squad being on academy money or contracts signed in the Champ.
Outs for big money to fund current crop: Berge, Ndiaye, Osula, Lankshear, Jebbison, Traore, Trusty, Bogle, Archer (mandatory buy back clause). Those lot absolutely dwarf the expenditure on incomings. The bulk of the money above is from academy player sales, not selling Prem bought players.
It's a huge chance for clubs like Sunderland to finish above the likes of United and Luton. We aren't normal parachute clubs.