MANCHESTER UNITED have released eight players in a brutal end-of-season cull.
The 2023/24 campaign may have only just ended, but that hasn’t stopped the Red Devils from trimming the fat on their squad.
The cull includes the departures of France internationals Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, whose contracts have expired.
Brandon Williams, Charlie McNeil, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumely have also left after entering free agency.
Under-21s player-coach Tom Huddlestone is also now unemployed following the expiration of his contract.
Alvaro Fernandez has also departed Old Trafford as Benfica have exercised the option to permanently acquire his services following his Lisbon loan last season.
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United paid tribute to their departing academy graduates, saying: “The Academy is proud of all our departing young players throughout the age groups.
“They will be supported in securing contracts at new clubs, provided with a bespoke aftercare programme, and will always have a lifelong association with Manchester United.”
Veteran duo Johnny Evans and Tom Heaton are also free agents following the expirations of their respective contracts.
But they could, however, find themselves in the squad next season as they’re both in talks over new deals.
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A new deal, meanwhile, has been handed to 19-year-old winger Omari Forson.
Martial, 28, leaves the club after nine years, in which he scored 90 goals in 317 appearances.
Varane, meanwhile, departs having made 95 appearances in three seasons.
It’s still unclear who will be in charge of the Red Devils next season.
SunSport revealed last month that manager Erik ten Hag would be given his marching orders even if he won the FA Cup.
The club, however, have yet to give the Dutchman – who masterminded a shock triumph over local rivals Manchester City at Wembley – his P45.
Despite failing to get his troops to perform consistently last season, Ten Hag still believes he’s the right man to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
When asked if he thinks he’s got what it takes to restore the club back to its past glory, he said: “Absolutely.
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“If the right players are available, we have a good squad.
“We miss almost the whole backline and then we have problems. I will keep fighting.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
