Soccer

SEVERAL Manchester United players are at risk of being axed this summer as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe plots a complete rebuild.The British billionaire name-dropped five senior stars when giving a damning assessment on the state of Man Utd this week, admitting they are “not good enough” to represent the club.Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to listen to offers for every Man Utd playerCredit: PAThe Red Devils want to offload Casemiro but the midfielder is determined to stayCredit: GettyAntony’s future is still yet to be resolvedCredit: GettyDuring an interview with the BBC, he said: “If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony.”We’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying [Andre] Onana, we’re buying [Rasmus] Hojlund, we’re buying [Jadon] Sancho.”These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17million to buy him in the summer.”Read More in FootballThe only player that received any praise from the club chief was captain Bruno Fernandes.However, even he could be put up for sale at the end of the season.The Daily Mail has claimed that United will consider offers for “practically every player” when the transfer window opens.Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are all set to leave Old Trafford as free agents in June.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsBut the Red Devils may find it hard to offload some players – especially without taking a huge loss.Casemiro – who cost United a whopping £70million in 2022 – is determined to see out the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.Man Utd confirm Old Trafford decision with club set to build £2bn 100,000-seater ‘Wembley of the North’ The Brazilian is also the club’s highest earner and pockets £375,000-a-week.Meanwhile, £85.5m man Antony has struggled at Old Trafford since completing his move from Ajax three years ago.With just 12 Man Utd goals to his name, the winger was loaned out to Real Betis in January and has since managed six goal contributions in nine games.Ratcliffe and Co will be hoping that his impressive La Liga form bumps up his value ahead of the summer window.Hojlund is another player who has failed to match expectations following a big-money move.While he showcased some positive glimpses in his debut campaign, the striker has not lived up to his £72m price tag this term.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Mail has also reported that Sancho could return to Man Utd from Chelsea this summer – despite the Blues having an obligation to buy.Should Enzo Maresca decide against keeping the England forward, Chelsea will have to pay a “significant penalty” to withdraw from the agreement.Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances. More