Man United will need to sell players before they can buy new stars this summer.
Manchester United may end up appointing a new manager this summer, with Erik ten Hag’s future at the club hanging in the balance despite winning the FA Cup.
The Red Devils, however, finished eighth in the Premier League and experienced one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
There will be changes at Old Trafford, and several players could go through the exit door as the new regime at the club plots an overhaul of the squad.
Here are five players who could be on their way out of the club this summer.
Casemiro
Five-time UEFA Champions League winner Casemiro joined Man United in August 2022 for £70 million in a summer when the club were desperate to sign Frenkie de Jong.
Casemiro, however, proved to be a brilliant plan-b in his first season at Old Trafford, despite having a poor disciplinary record that saw him receive two red cards during the season.
The Brazilian scored seven times, including a goal against Newcastle United as the Red Devils won the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Casemiro, however, appeared to have declined game-by-game during the 2023/24 season. The 32-year-old looks to have lost a yard of pace, and was poor when played out of position at centre-back during the final few matches of the season.
He was not part of the squad for the FA Cup final, and has been linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
The new regime will surely be desperate to get Casemiro off the wage bill, as the midfielder earns a reported £300,000 a week and has two years left on his contract.
Jadon Sancho
Man United signed Jadon Sancho for £73 million in 2021, but the move has been a failure for both parties.
After failing to impress in his first two seasons, Sancho became engaged in a stand-off with Ten Hag in September 2023.
Man United boss Erik Ten Hag dropped the winger from the squad for an away game against Arsenal. The Englishman responded with a post on social media.
Sancho has refused to apologise to the United boss and was banished from the first team. In, January he joined his former side Borussia Dortmund on loan.
He has impressed since returning to Borussia Dortmund, scoring three goals in all competitions, and is set to appear at Wembley for this weekend’s UEFA Champions League final.
The winger’s return to Old Trafford may depend on whether Ten Hag is still the manager next season.
Harry Maguire
In 2019, Man United signed Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80 million, then a world record fee for a defender. It has not been a successful transfer for United.
The Englishman nearly exited Old Trafford in the 2023 summer transfer window but couldn’t agree on a deal with West Ham.
Maguire wanted to remain with Man United and fight for his place, despite the embarrassment of being stripped of the captaincy. Yet, the England defender was justified by his decision.
Maguire made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. Ten Hag was forced to use Maguire out of necessity, as United had a terrible injury crisis throughout the season.
The former Leicester defender, however, performed admirably and was one of the team’s most reliable players when called upon.
Maguire’s focus will now shift to the Euro 2024, where he will be part of England’s squad for the tournament.
If he can get fit for the Euros, and produce a steady string of performances, the 31-year could be linked with an exit from Old Trafford.
This summer, however, Maguire may decide the time has come to leave Old Trafford.
Antony
Antony joined the Red Devils from Ajax in 2022 for £86 million. It has been one of the worst transfers in the club’s history.
Anthony scored four Premier League goals in his first season and scored only once last season.
The Brazilian lost his starting place to Alejandro Garnacho and looks unlikely to regain it any time soon.
Antony seems ill-equipped for the demands of elite Premier League football, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave this summer.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has scored 131 times for Man United including a tally of 30 goals in the 2022/2023 season.
The England forward was rewarded with a huge new contract in 2023, but then suffered a massive dip in form.
Rashford only scored seven goals in the 2023/2024 Premier League season and his drop-off in standards resulted in missing out on England’s 33-man Euro 2024 preliminary squad.
There was an improvement in Rashford’s all-round play against Manchester City at Wembley especially in a delicious cross-field pass to set up Kobbie Mainoo’s goal.
Yet, it has been reported that Rashford is one of the players that United would consider offers for this summer.
