Solskjaer willing to sell five Man Utd players but keep hold of out-of-favour duo

Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on July 4, 2020. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly willing to listen to offers for five players this summer as he looks to accelerate his Manchester United rebuild. 

Solskjaer has been ruthless in jettisoning several senior players so far, most recently Alexis Sanchez who made his move to Inter Milan permanent.

And the Norwegian is set to continue that trend, with plenty of players surplus to requirements as he looks to refine a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

According to ESPN, Solskjaer has been told by the club that he will have to supplement funds for new arrivals with the sale of fringe players amid the financial hit the club have taken during the coronavirus pandemic.

The report notes that Andreas Pereira, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and goalkeeper Joel Pereira are all players United are prepared to listen to offers for this summer.

Ideally, Solskjaer would prefer to keep hold of midfielder Pereira, but he cannot give the Brazilian any promises about a regular first-team role and he may choose to leave to further his career.

Valencia, whom Pereira spent a season on loan with before breaking into the first-team, are one of the clubs that are said to be interested in the 24-year-old’s signature.

However, ESPN’s report also states that Solskjaer wants to keep hold of out-of-favour duo Jessie Lingard and Diogo Dalot as squad players.

Dalot made just 11 appearances in all competitions in a frustrating season hit by injuries as his progress stalled.

Lingard, meanwhile, was used sparingly after the restart and was often not included in Solskjaer’s matchday squad on many occasions.

The pair will surely be considering their futures at Old Trafford if they desire regular first-team football, regardless of Solskjaer’s wishes to keep hold of them.

READ MORE: How Man Utd training rivalry is helping Anthony Martial improve finishing ability