Manchester United to ditch two midfielders, regardless of their next manager

Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ryan Giggs or Mauricio Pochettino. Whoever is managing Manchester United next season will have to do so without a couple of experienced midfielders.

Reports in this morning's papers suggest United are to cut Michael Carrick loose at the end of this season. The 34-year-old, who has won 13 major titles with United, is expected to move on during the summer. Were he to move on, Wayne Rooney [12 titles], Chris Smalling [5] and Antonio Valencia [4] would be the club's most decorated players. The Sun are the ones sticking their neck out on this one but it is hardly a surprise. Carrick's only salvation may be if Louis van Gaal moves on and a new manager is put in place in time to assess the pros and cons of the ageing midfielder. Juan Mata appears doomed if Mourinho, who got rid of him while at Chelsea, gets the United job. Equally, according to Manchester Evening News, the sight of Danny Rose marauding past Mata during the 3-0 loss at White Hart Lane has made if van Gaal's mind. If the Dutchman stays, the Spaniard goes. Whoever gets the United job, expect another summer of huge transition.