Manchester united keep or sell decisions as 15 face uncertainty under Erik ten Hag after FA Cup loss
We’ve all heard about the players who could be coming to Old Trafford this summer, but what about those who are leaving the club? We take a look as we play Manchester United: Keep or Sell?
Manchester United are set for a busy summer transfer window as Erik ten Hag reshapes his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Mason Mount could become their first arrival with the England midfielder linked with a big-money move from Chelsea. United are set to add a striker to their ranks as Harry Kane, Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen continue to be linked to the Red Devils, while they may also add another defender.
However, Ten Hag is expected to lead a mass exodus to pave the way for new players. Sure, there are several stars who are coming to the end of their United contracts and will leave on free transfers, but would you sell a big name or two to raise some cash?
We’ve had a look at the squad as a whole – and made a decision on which players who aren’t out of contract this summer could depart permanently or on loan – as we play Man Utd: Keep or Sell?
Goalkeepers
David De Gea : The Spaniard has come under fire in recent months, but many forget he is the Golden Glove winner and has produced some excellent performances for United this season. Although he is out of contract this summer, United should hand him a new deal and he deserves to stay. KEEP
Tom Heaton: With his contract running out at the end of June, Heaton will leave United, unless Ten Hag offers him a shock new deal. He played twice in the Carabao Cup but is nowhere near the level. CONTRACT EXPIRED
Jack Butland: After Martin Dubravka was recalled by Newcastle in January, Ten Hag needed to sign a third-choice goalkeeper and Butland was the man they called for. But he hasn’t played a minute since. LOAN EXPIRED
Dean Henderson: Having spent the season on loan at Nottingham Forest, Henderson is set to return to The City Ground and make that move permanent. SELL
Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka : Much improved since the World Cup break, Wan-Bissaka has endured somewhat of a revival under Ten Hag and has been impressive in the last six months. He also kept Jack Grealish very quiet in the FA Cup final and will surely be at United next season. KEEP
Diogo Dalot : Although his game time has been limited due to the form of Wan-Bissaka and a variety of injuries, Dalot remains a key part of United’s squad. He is a threat going forward and has improved defensively too and should be a firm part of Ten Hag’s plans in 2023/24. KEEP
Eric Bailly : Bailly joined Marseille on loan for the season last summer and isn’t expected to have a future at Old Trafford. United should sell and get him firmly off the wage bill. SELL
Phil Jones : After 12 years at the Red Devils, United confirmed that Jones will leave the club this summer at the end of his contract. The defender hasn’t played a minute competitively since last April. CONTRACT EXPIRED
Lisandro Martinez : This is a very easy one. There were concerns raised when United decided to cough up over £50million for Martinez’s signature last summer. But it is safe to say Martinez has proved those doubters wrong and he has been excellent for the Red Devils. KEEP
Raphael Varane : He has had his injury issues this season but United remain a much better outfit when Varane is out there on the pitch. Varane’s experience and knowhow is vital for the Red Devils squad and he should be part of their ranks next term, even if his playing time is limited. KEEP
Harry Maguire : It proved to be a tough season for Maguire, there is no doubt about it. He was arguably used as United’s fifth-choice centre-back at times, with Ten Hag preferring Shaw in central defence. Although they are not going to recoup anywhere near the £80m they paid for him, United should sell up this summer. SELL
Victor Lindelof : United’s best defender in recent weeks, Lindelof has been excellent at the back. He has stepped up to fill the hole of Martinez’s absence and has stood out. Deserves to stay. KEEP
Teden Mengi : Manchester-born Mengi has struggled for fitness since going out on loan to Birmingham in 2022 and hasn’t had a look-in under Ten Hag. But he has got potential to improve at just 21. LOAN
Alvaro Fernandez : A highly-rated left-back, Fernandez is definitely one for the future. He played 42 times for Preston last season and is set to be in Ten Hag’s plans for pre-season. Another loan move to a promotion-chasing Championship club, or a bottom-half Premier League side could be beneficial. LOAN
Brandon Williams : Williams has been restricted to just one competitive appearance in 2022/23 and was the third-choice left-back in the United squad. He must go to pave the way to reduce the wage bill. SELL
Tyrell Malacia : A decent debut season in English football for Malacia and he will no doubt keep his place in the United squad next season. Malacia made 39 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. KEEP
Luke Shaw : Rounding off the defensive players is Shaw, who has been United’s most consistent player this season alongside Marcus Rashford. He had a tough start to the campaign but has been reborn in the last few months and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. KEEP
Alex Telles : Telles has spent the campaign on loan at Sevilla and impressed in their run to winning the Europa League as they beat Roma in the final. But has no future at United. SELL/LOAN
Midfielders
Scott McTominay : The Scot could be one of the first names out of the exit door at Old Trafford this summer. He has struggled for game time and Ten Hag appears to prefer other options in midfield. Newcastle and West Ham continue to be linked with McTominay and he should leave. SELL
Fred : This is a tricky one. Fred was superb in the FA Cup final and also impressed in the final Premier League outing of the season against Fulham. But can United do better? At this moment in time, he is a good enough squad player to keep around the camp and play when he is needed. KEEP
Donny van de Beek : The Dutchman has not played a minute since January after suffering a serious-looking knee injury during United’s win over Bournemouth. But he looked good when called upon during the first-half of the campaign and will be an asset if he can get back fit. KEEP
Casemiro : Like Martinez, many people weren’t sure whether Casemiro would be a good signing for United. But he has proven to be an astute addition and has been a mainstaythat will be in Ten Hag’s plans next season. KEEP
Marcel Sabitzer : Although he has done well since his loan move from Bayern Munich in January, there are better options out there in central midfield and he was only a short-term solution after Eriksen’s injury. LOAN EXPIRED
Bruno Fernandes : Having scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions this season, Fernandes’ numbers have gone under the radar amongst some United fans. He was named as the club captain for the FA Cup final on Saturday and Ten Hag sees him as a key member of the squad. KEEP
Amad Diallo : United have got a tough decision to make on Amad. He impressed on loan at Sunderland during the back end of last season, scoring 14 goals in 42 appearances as they reached the play-off places. Another loan to a bottom-half Premier League side would help progress his development, but he should be given a run in the first-team next season. KEEP
Facundo Pellistri : Another up and coming wide midfielder, Pellistri has no doubt got the talent but needs a loan move to get regular game time and showcase his ability. LOAN
Hannibal : The Tunisian spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan in the Championship with Birmingham and made 42 appearances in all competitions. He should go out on loan again to get some more experience. LOAN
Zidane Iqbal : The 20-year-old made his first-team debut in the Champions League against Young Boys in 2021 but hasn’t featured for the United ever since. He could do with a loan move
to get some senior football. LOAN
Kobbie Mainoo : Having come on for his first-team debut against Leicester in February, Mainoo is a star for the future and should stay at the Red Devils for one more season before heading out on loan. KEEP
Forwards
Antony : Unfairly criticised at times, Antony has scored eight goals in his debut campaign at the club and deserves a chance to improve on those numbers next season. KEEP
Jadon Sancho : Arguably the hardest decision of the lot. Sancho made an impressive start to the season but his form gradually wore off before the World Cup. He took a three-month break from football due to mental and physical issues but hasn’t reached the desired level since. United should sell up. SELL
Alejandro Garnacho : After impressing off the bench in the FA Cup final, Garnacho has seemingly secured his place in the United squad for next season. There have been calls for him to become their first-choice left-winger and take the coveted no.7 shirt following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. KEEP
Marcus Rashford : With 30 goals to his name in all competitions, there is no doubt Rashford has bounced back after a turbulent 2021/22 campaign – where he struck just five times. He has been much improve under Ten Hag and deserves credit for his up-turn in form. KEEP
Anthony Martial : Martial would be a certainty on the United teamsheet if he could stay fit. The Frenchman has been riddled with injury issues over the past few seasons, and for some reason, can Stay.
