MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag could be set to wield the axe on up to NINE players before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Ten Hag made some bold choices in the crunch derby against Liverpool on Monday as he dropped wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo and under-fire captain Harry Maguire to the bench.
The Dutchman’s decision paid off as he managed to change the mood at Old Trafford with an impressive 2-1 win over the Reds.
That could be an indication that the 52-year-old tactician is planning some major changes in his squad for the season ahead.
And that could spell the end for some members of the team.
Here, SunSport take you through NINE players that could be on their way out of United before the transfer window closes on September 1…
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his desire to leave Manchester United this summer as he wishes to play in the Champions League.
United, though, are not keen to let Ronaldo go and there doesn’t seem to be many suitors willing to sign him.
The next weeks will be crucial but it doesn’t seem like manager Erik ten Hag is planning to build the team around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner this season after benching him against Liverpool.
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Harry Maguire
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made it clear he supports Harry Maguire by retaining him as captain.
However, Maguire has suffered a series of below-par performances recently and was dropped to the bench against Liverpool, while recent rumours suggest Chelsea enquired about bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
Much will depend on the centre-back duo Erik Ten Hag chooses for the season, which could well be Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane who helped the Red Devils beat Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Luke Shaw
Just like Maguire, Luke Shaw has also struggled to impress in the last few years.
Erik ten Hag signed fellow Dutchman Tyrell Malacia in the summer and he could well establish him as his starting left-back – particularly after his impressive display against Liverpool.
If Shaw gets dropped to the bench he may look for a move away.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka appears to have fallen out of favour as Erik ten Hag prefers to start Diogo Dalot at right-back.
Wan-Bissaka has been linked with a move to Barcelona as well as a return to Crystal Palace.
Manchester United are reportedly looking to add at right-back as Dalot has also not been able to fully convince.
Victor Lindelof
As mentioned, Ten Hag is looking for the perfect centre-back pairing.
And so far, Martinez, Varane and Maguire all appear to be ahead of Victor Lindelof.
Lindelof has previously been linked with a reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho at Roma.
Donny van de Beek
Donny van de Beek has failed to replicate the success he had at Ajax ever since he joined Manchester United in 2020.
Van de Beek couldn’t gel with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was sent out on loan to Everton for the second half of last season once Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss.
The playmaker was linked with a return to Ajax on loan, but Ten Hag – the man under which the Netherlands international flourished in Holland – is not giving up on him.
Eric Bailly
Eric Bailly looks set to leave Manchester United after six years at Old Trafford.
Bailly seems close to joining Marseille after a loan deal was agreed with United.
Ten Hag has sanctioned an exit so the centre-back can get the minutes he craves.
James Garner
James Garner stood out last season in the Championship while on loan at Nottingham Forest as he helped them gain Premier League promotion.
But United appear to have decided to sell Garner, who has attracted interest from five Premier League teams.
Tottenham, Everton, Southampton and Leeds are all said to be keen on the midfielder, with Forest uncertain of a reunion after recruiting heavily.
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Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams also shone while on loan last season at Norwich, who were relegated back to the Championship.
Williams has been linked with a £15million move to Brighton during the summer transfer window.
As it stands, the full-back would struggle to break into Ten Hag’s line-up.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
