Man Utd ‘willing to axe up to ELEVEN players this summer including Rashford and Maguire in massive transfer overhaul’
MANCHESTER UNITED could make as many as 11 players available this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to transform the club.
And both Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire could allegedly be part of the exodus.
Erik ten Hag’s side narrowly avoided disaster to beat Coventry on penalties and set-up a showdown with Man City in the FA Cup final on Sunday.
But they did not avoid embarrassment after blowing a three goal lead against the Championship outfit.
They then trailed twice to bottom club Sheffield United before scraping a 4-2 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday as pressure still mounts on Ten Hag over his future.
Those performances and the poor displays this term have highlighted the need for a huge squad overhaul after a number of changes off the pitch.
Ratcliffe, the 71-year-old billionaire, has taken over football operations at United since buying a 25 per cent stake in the club.
He confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director this month from Southampton in their latest change.
His arrival comes after Man Utd revealed ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive and talks are ongoing about Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave, coming in as new sporting director.
Now the Daily Mirror says that United are planning a 11-man clearout with six transfer targets in mind for Ratcliffe.
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The chief knows that financial fair play rules will limit United’s spending power.
But they know that extra funds can be raised through player sales in order to help rebuild the side.
And “every position in the squad is under scrutiny” as they look to offload up to 11 players.
But whose head is on the chopping block?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Signed from Crystal Palace for £50m in 2019.
Made the highest number of tackles in the Premier League during his first season but his form has been up and down.
Struggled with illness and injuries last term and that has seen Diogo Dalot overtake him in the pecking.
He’s played 24 times this term but Inter Milan are eyeing a cut-price £13m swoop with the full-back only having a year left on his deal.
Raphael Varane
The World Cup-winning French defender arrived from Real Madrid in 2021 for £42m.
But the multiple Champions League winner has endured an underwhelming three seasons at Old Trafford that have been blighted by injuries.
He will leave as a free transfer once his deal expires in June, freeing up more than £300,000 a week from the wage bill.
Victor Lindelof
The versatile Swede was signed by Jose Mourinho in 2017.
Has looked shaky numerous times for United but his contract was extended for another year in January to avoid losing him for nothing.
Harry Maguire
Cost a mega £85m from Leicester City in 2019 and went on to become skipper.
A dramatic loss of form led to him being stripped of the armband by Erik ten Hag but he turned down a move to West Ham last summer.
The England defender has bounced back with some good displays this term and could attract interest if he has a good Euro 2024.
Casemiro
United forked out £70m to Real Madrid for the Brazilian in 2022 and he impressed last season.
The 32-year-old inspired them to League Cup success but he has looked a shadow of his former self this term amid talk of a mega-money move to the Middle East.
Still has two years left on his £350,000 per week contract.
Sofyan Amrabat
Was brought in on a season-long loan at the end of the summer transfer window.
A regular on the subs bench, the Moroccan midfielder has often filled in as deputy left-back amid United’s defensive injury woes.
This report states there is little chance his deal will be made permanent.
Christian Eriksen
Signed as a free agent upon Ten Hag’s arrival at the club in 2022.
The Dane has never been a regular starter and has often struggled to impress off the bench.
The ex-Tottenham ace, 32, still has another year to run on his contract.
Marcus Rashford
This report states the academy graduate “will be sold for the right price” after he failed to replicate last season’s incredible form this term.
The only issue regarding getting him off the books could be wages.
The England ace, 26, became one of United’s top earners after penning a £325k-a-week contract until 2028 last summer.
Antony
The £85m winger was one of Ten Hag’s first signings from his former club Ajax.
But after a bright start, he has failed to live up to that price tag and has only recorded one assist in the Premier League this season.
Now United are “ready to cut their losses” on the 24-year-old Brazilian.
Jadon Sancho
After years of trying to get him, United finally landed Sancho for £73m in 2021.
The England winger only had brief high points before Ten Hag sent him to Holland for extra training last season after he had missed out on the World Cup.
He was exiled and sent out to Borussia Dortmund on loan after his explosive fall-out with the boss in January.
Sancho, who is under contract until 2026, has found his form again but the Mirror says he is also up for sale, whether Ten Hag stays or goes.
Although his loan arrangement with Dortmund did not include an option to buy.
Anthony Martial
The France international joined United in a £44.5m deal from Monaco in 2015.
In the last four injury-hit seasons he has hit just 12 Prem goals in 93 games and become surplus to requirements.
His contract finally expires in June and there is no chance that United will look to extend the 28-year-old’s stay.
Several more players could be sold while Ratcliffe has already called for “patience” with regards to his rebuild.
But the report states that they “realistically” are hoping to bring in six new additions to the squad before the start of next season.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayer Leverkusen duo Edmond Tapsoba and Jeremie Frimpong are all believed to be targets.
And Wolves pair Joao Gomes and Pedro Neto plus Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen have been touted as well.
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag's future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”