Erik ten Hag has called on Man Utd to adopt a more ‘ruthless’ approach to player exits this summer, and a report has revealed five stars who’ve been put up for sale along with two more who are on borrowed time.
The last summer window saw Man Utd wave goodbye to a plethora of high profile stars who didn’t generate a transfer fee. Indeed, the likes of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani all left as free agents.
While all of those players were ageing, United would’ve been able to recoup fees if cashing in 12 months earlier. Even more frustrating looking back in hindsight is the fact none of that quintet played a major role during their respective last years at Old Trafford.
With that in mind, the Manchester Evening News report Ten Hag ‘wants Man Utd to be more ruthless’ with regards to exits moving forward.
In other words, the Dutchman wants the club to sell stars before it’s too late, something that will also add to how much he can spend on his own new recruits.
To that end, the MEN previously reported Harry Maguire, Alex Telles and Anthony Martial had been put up for sale.
A fresh report from the same outlet has doubled down on the claim that trio are on the chopping block, though they’ve now been joined by two others.
Third-choice left-back Brandon Williams and centre-half Eric Bailly are the stars in question. Williams’ importance to United dipped once Tyrell Malacia joined, while Bailly is currently on loan at Marseille.
There is an obligation to buy inserted into Bailly’s loan deal if the Ivorian hits an unspecified appearance target. In the event he falls short, Man Utd will look to sell Bailly to another suitor this summer to avoid him leaving as a free agent in 2024.
The aforementioned five players are all up for sale, though per the report, doubts over the futures of Dean Henderson and Jadon Sancho are being voiced too.
Henderson can go for right price; Sancho patience waning
With David de Gea expected to sign a new, long-term extension, Henderson has reportedly come to the realisation he has no future at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old is currently on loan with Nottingham Forest who would like to turn the move permanent if they avoid relegation.
United are ‘expected to listen to offers’ for the stopper who is currently valued at £20m by Transfermarkt.
However, the highest profile potential exit comes in the form of £73m signing, Jadon Sancho.
The England international was the subject of a multi-year pursuit by United who finally forged an agreement with Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
However, Sancho has failed to meet expectations since arriving, with a measly return of 10 goals and four assists from his first 64 appearances.
Sancho has been selected to start just five times in the last five months and it’s claimed Ten Hag is ‘becoming increasingly impatient’ with the forward.
With Alejandro Garnacho on the rise, Marcus Rashford poised to return to a wing role once a new striker arrives, and Antony a Ten Hag favourite, Sancho’s future is under a heavy cloud.
Maguire (£80m), Bailly (£30m), Telles (£15.4m), Sancho (£73m) and Martial (£58m) were signed for roughly a combined £256m. Williams and Henderson are homegrown stars and as such, did not cost fees.
Elsewhere, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga could also leave, though only via the loan route. The young wingers have seemingly shown enough to have a longer-term future at the club.
