It’s a hazardous time to be a Manchester United player.
News broke this week that United could raise in excess of £100million and slash the club’s wage bill with an epic summer clear-out.
The exodus could reach double figures as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS make swingeing cuts and conduct a deep cleanse of a decomposing squad.
It feels necessary, not least with financial restrictions snapping at clubs’ heels nowadays. You get the sense Erik ten Hag‘s squad is pulling in two directions – and the dead wood holding them back has to go.
With that in mind, Mail Sport went through the squad with a fine toothcomb and asked: who should they keep, and who should they sell?
As Manchester United look to a brave new era, who should they sell and who should they keep?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are planning a £100million fire sale in the summer and will shift lots of dead wood
GOALKEEPERS
Andre Onana – KEEP
Onana will be the first to admit he’s made some horrendous gaffes after signing from Inter Milan for £47m in the summer, and his distribution hasn’t been as good as promised.
However, he has one of the best save percentages in the Premier League and proved his loyalty to his club by suspending his trpp to AFCON, missing Cameroon’s first game.
Onana was one of the best goalkeepers in Europe when Inter Milan reached the Champions League final last season. He deserves another shot.
Altay Bayindir – KEEP
Bayindir has only played once in a United shirt and that was when he looked unconvincing against Newport.
It would have been good to see him against Wigan in the FA Cup, rather than United getting Onana to delay his AFCON trip to play.
Previously Fenerbahce’s number one, he should be a decent standard between the sticks, but he hasn’t had much of a chance to show it.
Tom Heaton – RELEASE
Heaton’s contract is expiring after three appearances in three seasons. It was nice while it lasted for the United former youth player, now 37.
Andre Onana has had a challenging first season at Manchester United but has shown enough to be trusted in future
DEFENDERS
Diogo Dalot – KEEP
The Portuguese right-back has earned his keep this campaign by being one of their more consistent performers. There are upgrades out there but he should stay.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – SELL
In a season marred by injuries, Wan-Bissaka is nearing the end of the road.
There’s no doubting his ability. Luke Shaw…