Manchester United: Whether to keep, sell or release every squad member

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Manchester United are searching for their next permanent manager, with Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag among the front-runners to take the reins from interim boss Ralf Rangnick as soon as the current season finishes.

But whoever gets the job has one hell of a task ahead of them.

All United have to shout about nowadays is five seasons without a trophy (and counting), an underperforming squad with a poor attitude and an ability to create news leaks from within like no other club on the planet.

The incoming boss will be expected to oversee a rebuild in his own image, and implement a fresh style of play with a mix of current squad players and new arrivals.

Here’s the 90min take on who stays and who goes before the start of next season.


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Dean HendersonDean Henderson

Dean Henderson is sure to leave the club in the summer / Visionhaus/GettyImages

David de Gea – KEEP – David de Gea is in the keep section for now because he’s among United’s leading performers. Always pretty damning when it’s a goalkeeper though, isn’t it? But his inability to distribute the ball effectively and play out with his feet make him yesterday’s man. There’s a need to upgrade here in the future, but not immediately.

Dean Henderson – SELL – Henderson was meant to be the man to succeed De Gea between the sticks, but he blew his chance last season and has barely had a look in this term. It’s time to cash in and reinvest. You’d imagine if United were capable of selling well they could make some decent money here…but time will tell on that one.

Tom Heaton – KEEP – Homegrown and experienced. Good option for a number three.

Lee Grant – RELEASE – It’s expected Grant will leave at the end of the season. His best performance at Old Trafford came for Stoke City.

Harry MaguireHarry Maguire

Harry Maguire’s world has turned upside down / Matthew Ashton – AMA/GettyImages

Harry Maguire – KEEP – How do you sell Harry Maguire when he cost £80m and the captain’s armband is weighing him down to a point of embarrassment? You can’t. He’s staying. The main positive is there’s a ton of room for improvement.

Raphael Varane – KEEP – You’d hope Varane’s injury record can improve next season, but United are better with him in the team. He’s stuck in this mess for a while yet, whether he likes it or not.

Victor Lindelof – KEEP – Worth selling if there’s a decent offer coming in, but also seems a logical option to keep as a rotational centre back. Likely to stay.

Eric Bailly – SELL – Signed a new contract less than a year ago and is noticeably unhappy that Maguire’s getting picked ahead of him. As much fun as he’s been, Bailly needs to be sold.

Phil Jones – SELL – Signed a new contract in 2019 on wages no other club on the planet would pay and has barely featured since. Typical United really.

Axel Tuanzebe – SELL – Has spent time out on loan at Aston Villa and Napoli this season, and can’t get in either team. Doesn’t scream future academy star at Old Trafford unfortunately.

Aaron Wan-bissakaAaron Wan-bissaka

£50m down the drain, etc etc / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – KEEP – Similar case to Maguire. Bought for £50m and has huge limitations for a United right back. There’s not a chance in hell United will recoup their outlay so they’re stuck.

Diogo Dalot – KEEP – Defensively suspect but has ability going forward. Needs a coach to bring the best out of him.

Luke Shaw – KEEP – Still United’s best full-back, probably, and has actually shown he can be great. Has the abilities to flourish under either of the main options for the next manager. This season’s been awful, though.

Alex Telles – KEEP – Has deficiencies but a decent rotation option long term.

Brandon Williams – LOAN – He’s said it himself this week; there’s little point going back to United to sit on the bench. Another year’s worth of experience elsewhere could be the best option.

Paul PogbaPaul Pogba

It’s not been a great six years for PP / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Paul Pogba – RELEASE – As much as it’d be great to see Paul Pogba re-sign and be given a consistent position under a manager who could get the best out of him, it’s probably best all round for a clean break in the summer.

Scott McTominay – KEEP – McFred will live on forever.

Fred – KEEP – McFred will live on forever.

Nemanja Matic – SELL – Can play to his maximum for about 60 minutes a week.

Bruno Fernandes – KEEP – Will sign a new deal soon. Not as decisive this season as he has been in the past (there’s many reasons for that beyond Bruno himself) but his form does need to improve anyway. Will remain a key player for the future.

Hannibal Mejbri – KEEP – Could be a squad player moving into next season, and should probably start featuring in the final nine games of this campaign too.

Andreas Pereira – SELL – The biggest problem will be getting him off the books permanently. The most likely destination for him is Flamengo, where he is currently on loan.

Donny van de Beek – KEEP – Can see him finally getting his chance under a Pochettino or Ten Hag, the latter of which used to manage him. But he’s hardly impressing with Everton at the moment, so the jury remains out.

Marcus RashfordMarcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford looks bereft of confidence / Matthew Ashton – AMA/GettyImages

Jadon Sancho – KEEP – We’re starting to see the better side of Jadon Sancho, but it’s been a tough first year overall. Will be one of the first names on the teamsheet next season.

Marcus Rashford – KEEP – Fans are split on this one, and suggestions are that Rashford is too. He’s at a crossroads in his career and has lost his international place months out from the World Cup. Needs to find his happiness and confidence again – and it would be a real shame if that didn’t happen at United. Worth sticking with.

Jesse Lingard – RELEASE – Most signs point to Lingard seeking regular first-team football somewhere else. He’s not getting it at United regardless of the next manager, so at 29, it’s time to go.

Juan Mata – RELEASE – Out of contract and has stayed just that little bit too long.

Anthony Martial – SELL – Pochettino has tried to sign Martial before, while the player has the technical skills to do well under Ten Hag, you’d think. Questions remain over his attitude and commitment to United though after a number of underwhelming years. Signs point to a sale as it stands.

Anthony Elanga – KEEP – Fresh faced, with the right attitude and desire to grow. Should be a fixture in the squad for the coming years.

Amad Diallo – LOAN – Might need another year’s worth of adjustment to British football – ideally at a Premier League club.

Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo

The homecoming hasn’t gone to plan for Ronaldo / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Cristiano Ronaldo – SELL – The prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in the Champions League isn’t something you’d think he could stand for. Might be best to cut the return short and put the team first since so much change is on the horizon anyway.

Edinson Cavani – RELEASE – Decent first year but has been an expensive, injured and useless mistake in season two. Will leave on a free transfer.