Soccer

MANCHESTER UNITED are staring down the barrel of another long, painful and expensive squad rebuild.Years of lacklustre recruitment have gone on to bite the Red Devils with a string of horror performances, resulting in the sacking of Erik ten Hag earlier this season, and the club’s worst start to a league season in 35 years.Ruben Amorim will have a huge rebuilding task on his hands at Man UtdCredit: AlamyThere are tough decisions to be made on the future of a number of stars like Harry MaguireCredit: AlamyOther players like Marcus Rashford will almost certainly be gone within the next two windowsCredit: GettyWhile Man Utd’s financial situation could force their hand in some transfers like Alejandro GarnachoCredit: RexPoor signings also mean there is little flexibility in the market for Ineos transfer chiefs to sign players to elevate Ruben Amorim’s squad immediately.That is part of the reason why every single player has been made available for transfer, including the trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo who were made untouchable less than a year ago.Tough decisions will be made over the coming weeks and going into next summer, with some players struggling to fit the system, others simply not being good enough, or others lacking desire.Ahead of last summer’s window, SunSport gave our verdict on the entire Man Utd squad, but with a host of changes and the winter transfer window open we have taken another look at the men’s squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAndre Onana – StayDespite being guilty of some erratic performances, Andre Onana remains a world-class goalkeeper and United would struggle to find better in the market.The defence has begun to look more solid in recent weeks now Amorim has had time to coach the structure into the team, and hopefully, that will be converted into clean sheets going forward.Altay Bayindir – StayAfter a dodgy showing against Spurs in the Carabao Cup, Altay Bayindir proved himself to be a penalty hero against Arsenal in the FA Cup and was rightly awarded the man of the match.He is on minimal wages at Old Trafford and his penalty-saving exploits would be vital in cup competitions. Should stay to be a solid No.2 unless a serious bid comes in for him that will yield a profit.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTom Heaton – GoTom Heaton has experience in abundance, but this summer should be allowed to hang up the gloves and move into coaching as there are some perfectly capable goalkeepers in the Under-21s who can cover the third-choice role.The 38-year-old is remarkably on higher wages than Bayindir so even if it is a small cut it makes sense given United’s cost-cutting schemes.Man Utd and Arsenal in Matheus Cunha transfer battle with Wolves star ready to make summer moveNoussair Mazraoui – StayThe best signing from the summer window so far, Noussair Mazraoui has proven to be everything Man Utd needed and more. Versatile, reliable and passionate no matter whether he plays at wing-back or centre-back, it is a no-brainer to keep the Moroccan.Diogo Dalot – StayDiogo Dalot is a very Jekyll and Hyde player for United, capable of superb games and consistent performances before a total lapse in concentration ends up costing him and the team dearly.Like Mazraoui, his versatility makes him an invaluable player. But he needs to cut silly errors from his game otherwise his position may change if the likes of Real Madrid come knocking with a reported bid of £50m.Leny Yoro – StayAfter a pre-season injury, Leny Yoro has taken some time to bed in but he has shown some superb moments in a Man Utd shirt already like his lung-busting run to block a Liverpool shot in the 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier this month.At the age of 19 he will only get better and while too much expectation should not be thrust on him just yet, the early signs suggest he could be a mainstay in defence for years to come.Harry Maguire – GoThe last time we did this list Harry Maguire was one of our main defensive options to be sold, but since Amorim has come with the back three the England international has barely put a foot wrong.The issue with Maguire is that while he is perfectly suited to a back three, he will be 32 in the summer and has just one year left on his contract, so if a serious offer comes in he should regrettably be sold.Matthijs de Ligt – StayMatthijs de Ligt has been very hit or miss since arriving in the summer. Capable of heroic last-ditch tackles like he did at Arsenal and also capable of some very silly passages of play like his handball against Liverpool.In many ways, the Dutchman seems like a younger version of Maguire and given some more time to bed in he should improve even more.Lisandro Martinez – StayHas really started to grow into the Amorim system in recent games after a very sticky patch of form. He is one of the team’s best progressive passers in the build-up phase and has the dogged mentality this team will need to improve and claw its way up the table.Victor Lindelof – GoVictor Lindelof looks set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. The Swede has been a faithful servant, but he arguably should have been sold last summer. Jonny Evans – GoLike Heaton, Jonny Evans is a player with an abundance of experience and is no doubt a real treasure and tutor behind the scenes.However, he lacks the mobility to excel in the Amorim back three, unless, perhaps, as the central defender. Although his injury record this season now indicates he should probably move into coaching.Luke Shaw – GoIt’s been said that one of the best abilities is availability, and that rings incredibly true for Luke Shaw.World class on his day and is clearly still capable of finding those levels, as seen at less than full fitness with England at the Euros. But he is simply not available often enough to warrant keeping.Tyrell Malacia – GoTyrell Malacia is still recovering his match sharpness from his 17-month injury layoff, so it is a bit harsh to make a verdict on him so soon.The current concern is that United will need to aggressively recruit specialist left wing-backs in the summer, and Malacia so far has not looked totally comfortable playing there.Manuel Ugarte – StayQuestion marks were being raised about him after his first few games. But under Amorim, Manuel Ugarte has once again become the lynchpin of his midfield.He knows the system inside out and is one of the Premier League’s most proficient ball winners. It would be madness to consider his sale next summer.Kobbie Mainoo – StayKobbie Mainoo is courting interest amid his stalling contract negotiationsCredit: RexDespite reports that Chelsea and Bayern Munich want to sign the 19-year-old, Kobbie Mainoo should be one of the few genuinely untouchable stars at the club and his contract situation needs sorting ASAP.He has quality and aspects to his game not possessed by many other midfielders, and with improvements to the stars around him, he and Ugarte should be able to form an effective partnership for many years to come.Casemiro – GoCasemiro unfortunately seemed to lose his legs going into his second season at Man Utd. And with the 3-4-3 system demanding even more running from him, it is clear he simply does not fit the bill for what the club need going forward. It would also help the club’s financial goals to see him sold due to his massive £375,000-a-week wages being taken off the books.Christian Eriksen – Go Like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen simply does not have the mobility to cover the ground required by his role. His contract is up this summer and it should be allowed to expire following three seasons of faithful service.Toby Collyer – StayAn academy graduate who has the energy needed to play in midfield, Toby Collyer could be the effective rotation piece Amorim needs to rotate the core of his team without losing mobility.He will need to work on his on-the-ball play but the 21-year-old has time to work on that.Mason Mount – StayEx-Chelsea star Mason Mount is seemingly tailor-made for the 3-4-3 system. He played his best football there for the Blues and has already had Amorim raving about him and knowledge of the game.But injuries continue to plague him, and he should be given one more chance to prove his fitness before a definitive decision is made to put him up for sale.Bruno Fernandes – StayBruno Fernandes remains the best player at Man Utd and has the fight to drag the team up the tableCredit: GettyThe club captain, Bruno Fernandes has faced a lot of criticism since taking the armband for his erratic decisions and losing his temper.Yet he remains the best player in the squad by some distance and shows the mentality the squad needs to improve. Besides it’s not like United’s most famous captain of the Premier League era, Roy Keane, was exactly cool-headed.Antony – GoThere’s a definite case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history, with games too often passing him by and lacking quality when he is involved.That being said, he has improved in a number of brief cameos when featuring as a wing-back under Amorim. But unless there is a plan for him to learn the position and become a specialist he should be moved on.Marcus Rashford – GoIt was not supposed to end like this. Once the darling of Old Trafford and Carrington, Marcus Rashford’s comments admitting he wanted a new challenge were probably the final nail in the coffin for his Man Utd future.There is a classy player in there if he can find the motivation to love his football again. A sale to a rival should be ruled out for fear of exactly that, while a sale overseas should be targeted and pushed by the club.Amad Diallo – StayHas taken a real liking to his role as either the right No.10 in the 3-4-3 or as the right wing-back.Amad Diallo has been one of the team’s best players this season and was rewarded with a new deal as a result. Alejandro Garnacho – GoArguably the trickiest star on the list, Alejandro Garnacho has bags of raw talent to elevate him to being world-class. But recent off-field issues and poor form have doubt cast on his future. If, as reports suggest, a major bid of £60m from the likes of Napoli comes in there will be a tough decision to make. Though it may be the financial situation of the club which ultimately tips the scale.Rasmus Hojlund – StayMan Utd do need another forward and that is clear to see. At the moment Rasmus Hojlund needs time to develop into the sort of striker who can be relied upon game in game out.Reports suggest United want to sign Viktor Gyokeres, who in many ways is similar to Hojlund. Therefore, it may be better for him to stay on as a backup option and perfect his craft under less pressure.READ MORE SUN STORIESJoshua Zirkzee – GoJoshua Zirkzee has certainly been hit-and-miss at United so far. He has had some games and moments where he has looked very impressive, and others where he is simply not good enough.He has a very unique profile which makes him top drawer in the right system, it is just United will probably never play the right way for him to truly excel.Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as Maguire and Co dig deep to win after Dalot’s moment of madnessMANCHESTER UNITED produced a heroic effort to squeeze past Arsenal and into the FA Cup’s fourth round on penalties.The Red Devils were forced to dig deep at the Emirates following Diogo Dalot’s 61st minute red card.On a freezing cold afternoon in North London, SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rates and slates each United performer…ALTAY BAYINDIR – 8Poor punch up in the air which allowed the ball to fall nicely for Gabriel to finish.Redeemed himself with a brilliant penalty save to keep the score level, before superbly denying Declan Rice twice.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7Was assured on and off the ball if unspectacular. Got his body on the line as the Gunners pushed for a winner.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8Solid in defence and kept the backline well organised. Produced the best tackle of the match on the goalline to deny Leandro Trossard a certain goal.HARRY MAGUIRE – 8Commanding in the air and made several key blocks but gave away the penalty which Arsenal missed to go in front.Got away with an earlier error as he failed to clear – the ball landed at Kai Havertz’s feet but he somehow skewed wide with his effort.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Had to be on high alert to deal with the movement of Arsenal forwards but it was a task he managed well.DIOGO DALOT – 3Booked for a mistimed lunge on Lewis-Skelly. He followed that up with another silly, late foul on Merino with the ball about to go out of play for his second yellow. Stupid red card.MANUEL UGARTE – 7A firefighter all across the pitch for his side, although spent most of the match in his own half given Arsenal’s dominance.Was booked for one foul too many just before the hour mark and was lucky to escape a red card as he went head-to-head with Havertz after the penalty incident.KOBBIE MAINOO – 6Lively in the middle and kept a close eye on Jorginho. Looked sharp on the ball and showed some clever touches.Should have done better to head clear before Gabriel’s equaliser.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Always an outlet on the counter which was much needed for the Red Devils.Made the most of a Gabriel error to burst in on goal and pass across to Fernandes to score.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Was booked for throwing a trademark tantrum after claiming he was fouled on the edge of the box when lining up a shot.Showed his class with a brilliant first-time finish which he bent around a defender into the far corner.RASMUS HOJLUND – 3Failed to provide the focal point that United badly needed, which meant almost every pass forward was dealt with by the Arsenal centre-halves. Was fortunate there was no VAR to take a look at his apparent elbow on William Saliba, which left the Arsenal star bloodied.SUBSTITUTESAmad (for Garnacho, 80mins) – 6Lively on the counter too but just lacking a bit of quality – though was outnumbered every time he got the ball.Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 80mins) – 6Some very clever touches when he came on and provided a presence up front at a time United badly needed it.Toby Collyer (for Mainoo, 80mins) – 5Showed plenty of energy but was missing quality in some areas.Tyrell Malacia (for Ugarte, extra-time) – 6Stuck to his task well.Leno Yoro (for Maguire, 104) – 6Did his job well during the closing stages of the match. Converted his penalty in the shoot-out with aplomb. More