It is quite obvious that the Manchester United squad is in need of (yet another) overhaul this summer. There are simply too many players who are not at the level required to help the Reds get back to challenging for major honours.
There are too many players in the current squad earning a wage that is in no way a reflection on their contribution to the team, the main cause of this problem is the previous board’s sheer incompetence (mainly Ed Woodward) in relation to transfer fees, wages and players who have been given completely undeserved contract extensions to protect their apparent “value”.
This has led to United having major problems in their attempts to get rid of players that are deemed surplus to requirements by the manager, with some of the players on very handsome salaries it may be a struggle to find a buyer willing to match or even get near the salary they earn at United. More times than not that will lead to us to a situation where players are content to run down their contract here regardless of their playing time.
Here are some players United could look to sell in order to raise some funds for new signings to improve the starting XI in the summer:
Harry Maguire
Signed for £80m in the summer of 2019 on a 6-year deal, with an option to extend for another year, Maguire is currently earning £190k-a-week despite now being our fourth choice centre-back when everyone is fit. The less said about this transfer the better. A move in the summer seems inevitable for both parties, but United would be lucky to reclaim anywhere near half of the fee they paid for Maguire in August 2019.
Scott McTominay
A player who divides opinion among the fanbase, he is definitely a useful squad player who Erik ten Hag is a fan of and will have no shortage of suitors in the Premier League due to his athleticism as well as the goalscoring attributes he has shown for Scotland. However, with United looking to buy another midfielder in the summer and with outgoings needed due to FFP restrictions, McTominay could be one that United cash in on if a deal of £30m+ was on the table.
Anthony Martial
Martial’s recent seasons at United have been blighted by injuries and with a salary of 250k-per-week, he is one United would look to get off the books providing there were suitors for the French striker. That said, his wage and injury record will cause considerable obstacles to any sale. A cut price deal may have to be accepted by United with Martial only having 12 months left on his contract after this summer.
Dean Henderson
With a new contract for David de Gea in the works, Henderson will undoubtedly be trying to leave the club permanently this summer. This represents a rare occasion where United are selling a Premier League regular who still has his best year’s ahead of him. Much like McTominay, Henderson will have plenty of suitors and could command a fee of £30m+ which would suit all parties and help raise significant funds for Ten Hag’s transfer kitty.
Donny Van de Beek
Signed for a reported £35m in the summer of 2020, Van de Beek has only made 6 Premier League starts in 3 seasons at the club. He has failed to make any sort of an impact at the club and appears to be one of the players that United will definitely look to move on. Van de Beek is still only 26 and will be fit available from the start of next season after recovering from a knee injury. However, with a salary of £120k-per-week any chance of selling Van de Beek permanently is slim, a move back to his old club Ajax on either a loan or a permanent deal would certainly be of interest to the player and the clubs where he could rediscover the form which saw United fork out 35m for his services.
The Unsellables
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe’s contracts expire at the end of the season. Brandon Williams, Eric Bailly and Alex Telles are 3 players on high wages that United have struggled to move on permanently in recent seasons and this will be the challenge facing the board this summer again with Telles and Bailly not wanted back by their current loan clubs and Williams has spent most of his time playing for the clubs U21s despite earning a ridiculous £65k per week.
How can you suggest McTominay and not Fred as the midfield who needs to go?!?
Resale value. Fred has only 1 year left, is three 1/2 years older, not homegrown eligable and is on a higher wage – 120k/100k gross. Plus there’s real interest in McT from Newcastle who can afford £30m and his wages. It’s a likely transfer. No one is reported as interested in Fred.
We need to rebuild with quality players for the team not to favour some players over others so let anybody mentioned to leave leave if possible.