Erik ten Hag is planning a summer clear-out at Manchester United after he warned “standards have to be higher” following Thursday’s collapse to Sevilla in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Harry Maguire, who conceded possession prior to Sevilla’s first goal in the 3-0 second-leg defeat, joins Anthony Martial, Fred, and Victor Lindelof on a list of around 15 players who could depart Old Trafford in the offseason, according to The Telegraph’s James Ducker.
Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay could also be on the chopping block, The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson reports. However, Ducker believes McTominay has established himself as a “valuable squad player” for Ten Hag so the club isn’t actively looking to offload the midfielder amid apparent interest from Newcastle United.
Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are other first-team players with uncertain futures. Anthony Elanga and Brandon Williams – who have rarely featured since Ten Hag was appointed as manager last summer – may also leave, according to Ducker.
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are out of contract at the end of the season and are almost certainly headed for the exit, per both Ducker and Jackson. A group of players who are currently out on loan – Dean Henderson (who’s at Nottingham Forest), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Eric Bailly (Marseille), and Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City) – may move in permanent deals.
The contract of goalkeeper David De Gea, who made glaring errors as United tumbled out of the last eight of the Europa League, expires in June. The club has so far been unsuccessful in trying to get the Spaniard to commit to a deal on reduced terms from his existing £375,000-a-week wages, Ducker reports. The fact that United are prioritizing other positions when they try to strengthen in the transfer market – Ten Hag wants a high-quality No. 9 and better options in midfield – could result in the club holding off on searching for a new goalkeeper and reaching an agreement with De Gea, according to Jackson.
A decision is yet to be made on whether the loans of Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst should become permanent transfers. Bayern Munich’s Sabitzer is the likeliest to stay at United, Jackson reports.
Much of the Red Devils’ summer transfer business hinges on an anticipated takeover of the club. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are understood to be frontrunners to buy the north-west powerhouse. The Glazer family, who currently own United, recently invited interested parties to submit improved offers during a third round of bidding that expires at the end of April, but are also reportedly seeking outside investment so they can keep control of the club after boosting its value via offers from the likes of Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe.
