Manchester United’s summer transfer window is crucial in accelerating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s revolution.
In uncertain times amid the coronavirus outbreak, no one is quite sure what state the transfer market will be in come the summer months.
But this represents Solskjaer’s next opportunity to close the gap on bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
While it’s pivotal United recruit well by investing in talented players with the right mentality, it’s just as important that the players surplus to requirements leave. This will free up the wage bill and allow Solskjaer to shape his squad to his own desire.
Here’s six players that are at risk of being sold this summer:
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Phil Jones
Surely Jones’ United career is finally reaching its conclusion. The centre-back has made just eight appearances in all competitions this season and is way down Solskjaer’s defensive pecking order. According to the Mirror, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is willing to give the 28-year-old a Premier League lifeline by bringing him to the North East this summer.
Jesse Lingard
Many United fans have lost faith in Lingard who has failed to produce on a consistent basis for over eighteen months now. Lingard’s lack of quality on the ball has been exposed by the addition of Bruno Fernandes who has made United a far more potent attacking force. According to the Telegraph, there is an understandable feeling of unease at the club around Lingard after he teamed up with Paul Pogba’s disruptive agent Mino Raiola. Perhaps Raiola will facilitate a move for Lingard this summer.
Andreas Pereira
Similarly to Lingard, Pereira has had more than enough chances to prove himself in midfield for United. But he is simply too wasteful on the ball and United’s transition in attack is broken down too often because of Pereira’s irrational decision-making. But we feel Solskjaer may keep hold of the Brazilian as a squad player for his relentless running in the press.
Marcos Rojo
The erratic Argentina international joined Estudiantes on loan in January, and there’s no reason for Solskjaer to have him back around the squad. Rojo has only ever been used as cover by the Norwegian but the Reds now have considerable strength in depth in defensive areas. It’s time for the 30-year-old to be sold.
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Timothy Fosu-Mensah
It’s difficult to see a way that Fosu-Mensah can force his way into Solskjaer’s plans after his long-term injury lay-off. The 22-year-old did not impress on loan at Fulham or Crystal Palace and has not made an appearance in the first-team this term. United have plenty of defensive cover at the moment and it may be time for the Dutchman to move on and seek regular first-team football.
Alexis Sanchez
United have the unenviable task of trying to find a buying club for perhaps the highest paid player in the Premier League. Sanchez’s loan spell at Inter Milan has been ruined by injury; he has managed just two Serie A starts in Italy. The 31-year-old has not earned another chance at Old Trafford and is the antithesis of a signing Solskjaer would want to bring to the club. The Norwegian is focusing his rebuild around young, exciting talent. However, given the uncertainty around COVID-19, it’s highly unlikely that any sane club would offer a deteriorating Sanchez an escape route and he may be stuck at United next season.
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