The 13 Man United players who could leave the club this summer as Erik ten Hag reshapes his squad
Manchester United are looking to overhaul their squad during the summer transfer window after successfully achieving Champions League football for next season.
Erik ten Hag has made it clear he needs access to a higher calibre of players to challenge for the European title next season.
United have made West Ham midfielder Declan Rice at primary target for the summer transfer window – with the West Ham skipper set to leave the London Stadium this summer.
However, Ten Hag must offload several Manchester United players in order to purchase the likes of Rice and his England team-mate Harry Kane during the summer window.
So with the above in mind, Mail Sport have identified the 13 players that could leave Old Trafford this summer – looking at the likes of Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams and so on.
Manchester United are looking to overhaul their squad during the summer transfer window
Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a positive first season at the club but is keen to strengthen his options
Phil Jones
Manchester United have already confirmed that Phil Jones will leave Old Trafford this summer after 12 years at the club. It comes as no surprise considering the fact Jones has played just five times in the last three-and-a-half years due to his chronic knee issues.
It was widely expected that United’s longest-serving player would be released at the end of his contract on June 30, with Jones admitting it’s been a ‘very difficult’ couple of years at the club.
The 31-year-old said: ‘It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years. There’s no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.
‘And, you know, I’ve missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It’s all I’ve known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked.
‘I’ve worked tirelessly hard. I literally left no stone unturned. I tried to get back as quick as I could, every time I was out in the last couple of years.’
It remains to be seen as to what Jones will do next. But, regardless of his next destination, it is likely Jones will be offered a pay-as-you-play contract due to his lengthy lay-off caused by a cartilage problem in his right knee that required two operations.
Manchester United have already confirmed that Phil Jones will leave Old Trafford this summer
Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe is another player that will leave United this summer after falling further down the pecking order following the arrival of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Tuanzebe had hoped to cement his place in the United first XI after joining the team on their pre-season tour last summer. However, he left Australia with a ‘personal issue’ and struggled to work his way back into the squad.
As a result, he was shipped out on loan – joining Stoke City until the end of the 2022-2023 campaign with no option or obligation to buy, but he made just five appearances for the Potters.
The academy graduate – who has dealt with extensive injury issues – didn’t see a lot of game time either during his two loan spells in the 2021-22 season. He started eight games in all competitions for Villa before making just one start for Napoli.
Despite his limited gametime at Stoke he did make a positive impact at the club, with central defensive partner Ben Wilmot singing his praises.
‘He’s been really good, settled in really quickly and it’s given us lads a bit more security in terms of numbers at the back, where were light,’ Wilmot said. ‘We always felt we were one or two injuries away from being really short. It’s relieved the pressure a little bit and allowed us to rotate. Axel has come in and played well. I enjoy playing with him.
‘We have conceded a few disappointing goals this season, especially early on in games, which has made it harder for ourselves but I think on the whole we’ve been pretty good in terms of the amount of goals we’ve conceded.
‘The last handful of games it’s felt very solid. We’ve felt in the game and then we can give it to the lads up front to go and make something happen for us. That’s good.’
Axel Tuanzebe is another player that will leave United this summer after falling further down the pecking order following the arrival of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez
Ethan Galbraith
Ethan Galbraith – who was once compared to Andres Iniesta – announced he would be leaving Old Trafford this summer after making just one senior appearance for the club.
The youngster has struggled to cement a place in the Man United’s first-team after making his senior debut in a two-minute cameo during a 2019 Europa League defeat to Astana.
It was Ole Gunner Solskjaer would identified Galbraith as one of United’s rising stars and selected him in the matchday squad for another European game. However, he remained on the bench for the entire fixture.
It wasn’t long before Galbraith took to Instagram to share the news he would be leaving Old Trafford imminently, posting a heartfelt statement.
‘After 6 years, my time has come to an end with this magnificent club at Manchester United. I want to thank the club, coaching staff and players for helping me become a better player, a better person and for making me feel at home.
‘My earliest ambition as a boy was to become a professional footballer and I’m forever grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity and support to fulfil that dream. It’s been a privilege and I feel very fortunate to have been able to represent the club.’
Ethan Galbraith – who was once compared to Andres Iniesta – announced he would be leaving Old Trafford this summer after making just one senior appearance for the club
Eric Bailly
United will listen to offers for Eric Bailly this summer after sending the 29-year-old out on loan during the 2022-2023 campaign. However, Bailly’s stint at Marseille has been labelled ‘a mess’ by his former Ivory Coast boss Patrice Beaumelle so interest may be lacking.
Bailly has been at United since signing for the club in 2016 but struggled to cement a place in the starting XI after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Varane and Martinez.
Therefore, he was sent out on loan to pick up some more minutes. However, things didn’t go according to plan at Marseille. He featured 22 times for the French side and was banned for seven games after picking up a red card for his Kong-fu kick on Almike Moussa Diaye.
Speaking about Bailly’s loan spell, Beaumelle said: ‘It’s a mess. He remains and will remain one of the best defenders I have known. He had discomfort behind his hamstrings which prevented him from continuing.
‘Yet he hoped to be quiet, had good feelings. Then he disappeared from radar against all odds. It’s a shame because a 100% Bailly could have helped the team to grab points to be second. He has not always been 100%, it is perhaps the fault of bad luck, when he loved OM and would have appreciated being part of this project.’
United will listen to offers for Eric Bailly this summer after sending the 29-year-old out on loan to Marseille during the 2022-2023 campaign but the defended failed to impress
Alex Telles
Manchester United will entertain offers for Alex Telles this summer after shipping the 30-year-old out on loan to Sevilla.
Additionally, Telles has made it clear he is happy at Sevilla and that he has rediscovered his confidence at the Spanish side, where he won the Europa League on Wednesday after they beat Roma on penalties.
Speaking previously, Telles said: ‘I’m very happy at Sevilla. The club and the fans have given me a lot of confidence. I will give my best here and I don’t know what will happen next year.’
Therefore, Telles may look to join the LaLiga giants on a permanent basis during the summer transfer window.
United will entertain offers for Alex Telles this summer after shipping him out on loan to Sevilla
Brandon Williams
Manchester United are open to offers for Brandon Williams as several clubs have registered an interest in signing the 22-year-old this summer. However, recent headlines could deter those interested parties.
The 22-year-old full-back, who has failed to break into the club’s first team this season, was filmed appearing to breathe in laughing gas as a passenger in a moving Mercedes Brabus supercar.
In the video published by The Sun, he seemed to pass a canister of the high to a rear passenger in the car while he is videoed from another vehicle. As it stands, the gas is not illegal to possess or use, but is illegal to supply under current legislation.
Williams’ current contract at Manchester United is set to expire in the summer of 2024. However, they have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months if they want to.
The academy product – who has only featured for five minutes under Ten Hag – completed a loan spell at Norwich City last season where he made 29 appearances for the club.
Manchester United are open to offers for Brandon Williams as several clubs have registered an interest in signing the 22-year-old this summer
Anthony Elanga
Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga has admitted he has been frustrated by his lack of playing time this season. Therefore, he could be open to leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Several clubs have registered an interest in signing him, with Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Everton among those interested in his services.
The Swede prospered under former United boss Ralf Rangnick and has racked up an impressive 39 Premier League appearances already for the Red Devils.
However, his opportunities this season have been less regular – with 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho having gone ahead of him in the pecking order.
Borussia Dortmund have a record of developing young players who they then sell on for huge profit. Therefore, he could be interested in a move to Germany.
Anthony Elanga has admitted he has been frustrated by his lack of playing time this season
Fred
Mail Sport recently revealed that Manchester United are considering letting Fred go. The Brazilian is among 13 players earmarked for departure this summer and was spotted chatting to Marco Silva after their clash at Old Trafford.
Silva waited for Fred following Fulham’s 2-1 defeat to United on the final day of the Premier League season and the pair were seen chatting in the car park after the game.
Fred has made 55 appearances for United this season but the last time he completed the full 90 minutes in the league was against Leeds in February.
Additionally, United are targeting Declan Rice – meaning his arrival could push Fred further out of the picture.
Mail Sport recently revealed that Manchester United are considering letting Fred depart
Harry Maguire
Erik ten Hag recently admitted that Harry Maguire was unhappy with a bit-part role at Manchester United after falling down the pecking order and needed to make up his mind about his future.
Despite still officially being United captain, Maguire has made only eight Premier League starts this season after struggling to cement his place in Ten Hag’s starting XI.
Therefore, Maguire could leave Old Trafford this summer. Although, United will be looking for a substantial amount given the fact they paid £80m for him in 2019 – a world record fee for a defender.
Erik ten Hag recently admitted that Harry Maguire was unhappy with a bit-part role at United
Donny van de Beek
Donny van de Beek is another player who could leave Manchester United this summer after struggling for form at Old Trafford. The Dutchman has been absent for the Red Devils since January after sustaining a serious knee injury.
Van de Beek was ruled out for the rest of the campaign following a tackle from Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi at the start of the year. As a result, he missed out on the Carabao Cup final and will be absent from the FA Cup final.
Nevertheless, Van de Beek is adamant he will be back soon. He said: ‘I’m busy with my recovery after my injury and everything is going well. It’s hard to give you a time but we have to see how everything goes.
‘I’m doing a lot of gym work and getting closer to being on the pitch, which is positive. I’m not far away.’
However, it remains to be seen if Van de Beek will play for United again. He has only featured 10 times for the Red Devils this season and 60 times in total since signing from Ajax for £39m in 2020.
Donny van de Beek is another player who could leave Manchester United this summer
Dean Henderson
David de Gea has agreed a new contract with Manchester United and it will be announced officially once the club’s hierarchy have signed it off. Therefore, it’s likely that Dean Henderson will leave the club to secure more first team action.
Nottingham Forest are on standby and will look to secure a deal with Henderson – who is currently on loan at the City ground – once De Gea’s new deal is confirmed.
Henderson has not featured since January after picking up a thigh injury that could rule him out until August, but Steve Cooper sees him as a long-term option as he looks to stabilise his squad after a string of signings over the past year.
David de Gea has agreed a new contract with United and it will be announced officially once the club’s hierarchy have signed it off. Therefore, it’s likely that Dean Henderson will leave
Anthony Martial
Ten Hag had high hopes for Martial after a promising pre-season campaign. However, he’s failed to live up to expectations during the 2022-2023 campaign and could leave in the summer.
Martial’s season at the club has been plagued by injuries. He’s only featured 19 times in the Premier League this season after suffering with problems relating to his hip, hamstring, back and Achilles.
Additionally, Martial’s relationship with Ten hag appears to be strained. The 27-year-old failed to acknowledge the United manager after being substituted for Wout Weghorst during their crucial 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Therefore, reports are stating that United will look to cash-in on the Frenchman during the summer transfer window, with the club’s hierarchy said to be ‘fed up’ with the situation.
Ten Hag revealed Martial eventually returned to the bench at Bournemouth having walked straight down the tunnel in frustration.
‘I think he played well, he returned to the bench, he’s OK,’ Ten Hag told talkSPORT. ‘I think he just shot into the dressing room, I don’t know what you want to make from it.’
The Frenchman – who signed for United in 2015 for an initial £36m – is still under contract until 2024 and is reportedly on wages of around £240,000-a-week.
Ten Hag had high hopes for Martial after a promising pre-season campaign. However, the French striker has failed to live up to expectations during the 2022-2023 campaign
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan Bissaka has picked up interest from several Premier League clubs and could leave Old Trafford this summer if the price is right. David Moyes is among those who are interested in signing Wan-Bissaka.
West Ham are looking to improve their defence this summer and Moyes has identified Wan-Bissaka as one of their top targets given his recent performances at Man United.
The right-back, who has made 32 appearances for Man United this season in all competitions, was hailed by Leicester City’s James Maddison as ‘probably the best in the world’ at defending one against one.
However, it hasn’t been plain sailing for Wan-Bissaka. He had only played four minutes in the first four months of the campaign due to a combination of illness and injury.
But, the 25-year-old has since forced his way back into the Man United team – attracting interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace, who could look to bring the defender back to the club after selling him to the Red Devils for £50m back in 2019.
Aaron Wan Bissaka has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs and could leave
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