A number of big-name Manchester United players could be sold this summer, according to reports.
It has been another season of struggle for the Red Devils this term, having failed to build on their third-place finish last term in their second season under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils find themselves sixth in the Premier League table, 11 points off of Tottenham and Aston Villa – who are tied on points in the race for a top four finish.
United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League appear to have faded and, with this in mind, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning a large squad overhaul.
According to Manchester Evening News, as many as seven first-team stars could be shown the exit door at Old Trafford – as well as a number of players being allowed to leave for free.
Manchester United are considering selling seven first-team players in the summer window
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is getting ready for a summer renovation following United’s underwhelming season.
The contracts for Tom Heaton, Anthony Martial, and Brandon Williams expire in the summer, and Erik ten Hag’s team is probably going to dismiss them.
Heaton is considered surplus to requirements despite playing a bit-part role for the Red Devils, making just three appearances since signing in June 2021.
The club believes that it is not worth extending Martial’s contract because of his history of injuries.
This season, Williams has been on loan at Championship team Ipswich, where he has not impressed. Most recently, Williams was spotted showing up to court due to claims that he consumed laughing gas prior to being involved in a high-speed collision.
The report claims that Omari Forson, Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal Mejbri, Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri, and Mason Greenwood might all depart this summer in addition to those three players departing on a free.
Most of those players are presently on loan, but they will probably be given the opportunity to leave on a permanent basis after their lackluster stints away from the team.
The two biggest names on the list, Greenwood and Sancho, appear to have made up their minds about their futures, and it seems unlikely that United will keep them when they return.
Greenwood, 22, has a deal with United through 2025. He is currently on loan at the Spanish team Getafe. But he has an option to extend it by an additional year as part of his contract.
Even when the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service dismissed charges of rape, assault, and coercive control against the player in February 2023, his relocation to Spain caused controversy. Greenwood refuted each and every accusation made against him.
After they return from loan, Jadon Sancho (L) and Mason Greenwood (R) will probably be sold.
When Donny van de Beek joined the Red Devils in July 2022, he hasn’t impressed.
Greenwood was sent out on loan following an internal club probe, but the club could now be ready to allow him to go permanently.
Sancho’s tenure with the team appears to have ended as a result of his open disagreement with boss ten Hag.
In addition, young players like Fernandez, Mejbri, and Pellistri have all been on loan this season, but they haven’t performed well and won’t likely be in United’s starting lineup for the upcoming campaign.
Forson has only made three league appearances for the Red Devils this season, despite being one of the few players who has stayed at United in 2023–2024.