Manchester United’s Champions League defeat against Sevilla last week could spark a major overhaul in Jose Mourinho’s squad this summer.
The Red Devils are in second place in the Premier League table, but are a massive 16 points behind league leaders and rivals Manchester City. Although United still have a chance of winning the FA Cup, media reports say that Mourinho could have a huge off-season in the transfer market.
ESPN reports that the Portuguese boss will have a “summer overhaul” with up to ten departures and arrivals. The Daily Mirror says that Mourinho’s “summer cull” could see ten players leave the club.
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We take a look at the players linked with moves to United, the stars who will stay and those who could face the Old Trafford exit.
In: Man Utd potential transfers
The players who have been linked with moves to Old Trafford in recent weeks:
- Neymar, striker (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Gareth Bale, forward (Real Madrid)
- Danny Rose, left-back (Tottenham)
- Fred, midfielder (Shakhtar Donetsk)
- Willian, attacking midfielder (Chelsea)
- Raphael Varane, central defender (Real Madrid)
- Hector Bellerin, right-back (Arsenal)
- Jorginho, midfielder (Napoli)
- Ivan Rakitic, midfielder (Barcelona)
- Samuel Umtiti, defender (Barcelona)
- Andre Gomes, midfielder (Barcelona)
- Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, goalkeeper (Barcelona)
Out: players who could leave Manchester United
Michael Carrick
This campaign is definitely the last for the 36-year-old former England international, who will retire at the end of the season. But who will be his long-term replacement in the heart of United’s midfield?
Luke Shaw
It looks like the left-back’s United career will soon be over, says the BBC. Substituted at half-time in the FA Cup win over Brighton, the Daily Star says that Shaw is being linked with moves to Tottenham, Leicester and his former club Southampton.
Marouane Fellaini
The 30-year-old Belgian midfielder is out of contract this summer and is linked with a move to Turkey. TalkSPORT says that he’s agreed a five-year deal to join Galatasaray.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swedish star, 36, is another player out of contract this summer and it’s reported that he could move to Major League Soccer in the US with Los Angeles Galaxy.
Paul Pogba
The Daily Mirror claims that Paul Pogba’s Manchester United future is “in doubt”. Pogba cost United £89m from Juventus in 2016 and reports say that his agent, Mino Raiola, is “sounding out potential buyers” for the French midfielder.
Phil Jones
The United defender was last week linked with a move to Everton. The Times says that any deal will depend on whether Sam Allardyce is still in charge at Goodison Park next season.
Other players who could leave
The Daily Mirror says that Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling are all “under threat of being moved out of Old Trafford”.
Staying: players who Mourinho expects to keep
David de Gea
The Spanish goalkeeper is undoubtedly United’s top player. They will want to keep him for the long-term despite interest from Real Madrid.
Ashley Young
Utility player Ashley Young will stay at United until at least next summer after the club “triggered a one-year extension clause”, the BBC reports. The 32-year-old, who can play at full-back or across the midfield, joined United in 2011 and has played 29 matches this season.
Alexis Sanchez
The former Arsenal striker hasn’t had the greatest of starts since signing for United in the January transfer window. But Mourinho will be confident the Chilean will soon start firing in attack alongside top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku.
Marcos Rojo
The Argentina defender last week signed a new deal with United until 2021. “Marcos has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of seasons,” said Mourinho. “He is always ready to put his body on the line for this club.”
Mix of experience
Home-grown younger players such as Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are part of Mourinho’s long-term plans at Old Trafford. As are experienced stars such as midfielder Nemanja Matic and striker Romelu Lukaku.
What about Mourinho?
United will keep faith with their manager, ESPN reports, despite the disappointing Champions League elimination. He won two major trophies last season – the Uefa Cup and League Cup. ESPN says: “Quite simply, there is no mood within the United hierarchy to dispense with Mourinho as manager.”
