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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is plotting a summer overhaul with several first-team members set to leave the club when the transfer window opens.
This comes after United suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in Spain.
The first leg ended in a 2-2 stalemate after the Red Devils threw away a two-goal lead gained in the opening 45 minutes. An uninspiring and lethargic United failed to turn up at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and were made to pay for their woeful display.
Sevilla capitalized on United’s calamitous errors at the back to put the tie to bed and proceed to the semi-finals where they will play Juventus.
According to The Telegraph’s James Ducker, up to 15 first-team stars are facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford. Ducker says that Ten Hag had already made final decisions on a number of players but after the Sevilla debacle, his stance has only been further reinforced.
Ducker’s indication is backed by The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson who notes that indeed, as many as 15 players could make way for others to come in this summer.
The Dutchman is resolutely determined to facilitate a number of exits to raise substantial funds that will then be channelled into recruitment.
Ducker reports, “Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are among the most high-profile names who could be vulnerable in the United manager’s planned overhaul.”
“In addition to Maguire, Lindelof and Martial, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred and Donny van de Beek all face uncertain futures.”
“Eric Bailly and Alex Telles, who have been on loan at Marseille and Sevilla respectively this season, are surplus to requirements. Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are both due to leave when their contracts expire at the end of the season.”
Ten Hag is also keen to offload some homegrown United talents. Dean Henderson heads the list of departures under this category.
The Telegraph details, “Since academy graduates would represent pure profit in sale terms, it is thought that United are giving a lot of consideration to who they offload in that regard, having sold James Garner to Everton last summer in a deal worth up to £15 million. Anthony Elanga and Brandon Williams have both been peripheral figures under Ten Hag and could go.”
The Peoples Person revealed that while David de Gea looked nail on to receive a new contract, the situation may have changed and the Spaniard could also be offloaded after a mistake-strewn showing vs. Sevilla.
The Athletic’s Carl Anka mentions that United’s desire to facilitate outgoings is motivated by a desire to streamline the club’s transfer operations and become more effective.
Anka points out, “The club wish to be more decisive when choosing to move on a player – having chosen not to pursue contract renewals with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani who all departed on free transfers last summer.”
“They are also looking to improve their player trading model and make moves similar to the sale of James Garner to Everton for £15million last season. United are aware they can maximise transfer value of outgoing players by looking to sell them on the back of better spells of form, rather than attempt to move unwanted players who have not played for a prolonged period of time.”
Anka divulges that there is a realization within the club that it can be difficult to sell players as most of them are bound for downgrades to institutions below the size and stature of the Red Devils.
There is also a need to strike a balance between the number of those allowed to leave and the risk of leaving Ten Hag too short next season.
The Mirror’s David McDonnell states that Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst will return to their respective clubs when their loan spells expire at the end of the season.
The Guardian however discloses that while Weghorst will in all likelihood return to Burnley, United will try to strike a deal with Bayern Munich for Sabitzer.
United are unlikely to let all these players leave but in what is shaping up to be a crucial transfer window, outgoings will be just as prominent and significant as new signings.