Manchester United ‘will axe FIVE first-team players this summer’ to make way for Erik ten Hag’s new signings… ‘with Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams all surplus to requirements’
- Manchester United have deemed five current players surplus to requirements
- Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are allowed to leave in summer
- Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe also up for sale following loan spells
- Erik ten Hag confident in replacing defenders with his transfer targets
Manchester United are willing to let go of five first-team players in the upcoming transfer window to make way for new signings, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils believe they will have to sell in order to reinforce their squad this summer – with new manager Erik ten Hag looking to recruit a central defender in the transfer market.
While the former Ajax boss is willing to give certain players at Old Trafford a clean slate, reports have emerged that five defensive players are up for sale in the upcoming months.
Full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (above) has failed to make his mark at United since his 2019 move
Phil Jones (above) has been listed as one of the five players likely to leave Manchester United
Ten Hag has inherited a United defence that is both overcrowded and underperforming, with their back-line conceding 57 goals in the league last year – their worst defensive season since 1978/79.
It’s understood that Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have all been told they can leave the club this summer as the Red Devils look to rebuild at the back.
Both Williams and Tuanzebe completed respective loans last season but they failed to have a big enough impact to warrant a place in United’s squad next year.
Meanwhile Jones, Bailly and Wan-Bissaka have simply fallen out of favour and are deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford – with the club confident they can sign apt replacements in summer.
Though the Red Devils are yet to make a summer signing, it’s not for want of trying – with the club launching moves for Ajax duo Jurrien Timber and Antony, as well as Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
United will search for a new centre-back to…