The 13 Man Utd players whose futures plunged into doubt after 7-0 Liverpool drubbing

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 7 Mar 2023 09:42 GMT
• 6 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United need an overhaul. If that was ever questionable, it’s beyond doubt now.

The 4-0 loss to Brentford in August, the 6-3 loss to Manchester City in October - these were all indications but really seemed that Man Utd were past that.

It was put down to merely teething problems under Erik ten Hag and that the subsequent glow-up, such as the Carabao Cup win, was now their permanent form. There were scant talks of a quadruple. There were comparisons between Marcus Rashford and Kylian Mbappe, talks of Lisandro Martinez being the Premier League’s best-performing centre-back - his game at Anfield was atrocious - but now things have come crashing back down to earth.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Ten Hag's £350m Man Utd summer transfer plans already taking shape

Of course, the loss doesn’t define the miracle job Ten Hag has done this season in turning things around, but it’s certainly left a black mark.

We brought you the news that Man Utd will be looking to overhaul last summer. FootballTransfers reported that a healthy sum of players had been earmarked for a move away from Old Trafford. That remains true, as it did ten months ago.

What the 7-0 loss to Liverpool has done is remind fans that they are not as far away from the Ralf Rangnick reign as they would like to believe. This new era is a process and it will take time to get Man Utd back to their former glories.

We mentioned in our report about how Ten Hag is all about ‘personality’. He went on to use the word in a press conference late last year. The Dutchman immediately saw the problem lacking within the side and it’s precisely why he bought in the likes of Martinez and Casemiro: players who are not only hugely talented but have a winning mentality.

What was stark about the loss was the way in which it was hugely evident that the side could not mentally handle losings. They started to get frustrated, Bruno Fernandes throwing his arms about, Luke Shaw taking a sly dig at Darwnin Nunez on the ground - it was very much a side who could not grasp that it was better to lose well (and gallantly), then to become vexed to the point that all notion of a gameplan went out the window and Liverpool were able to ship more goals.

A 3-0 loss could have been dealt with, but 7-0 is a humiliation, and it makes more than just simply missing out on points.

Players must be moved on. Some are, as we revealed. To reiterate, here are some of the names that we were told will be sold in the upcoming window.

Fred

We took a bit of stick for saying the Brazilian was marked to leave. The holding midfielder is not fit for standard, every superb display is marred by a subsequent howler. We are told he will go, along with his midfielder partner.

Scott McTominay

No surprises here. Scott McTominay, linked to Newcastle in January, will be sold.

It will likely be a Premier League switch but to a club not competing in Europe.

Harry Maguire

As we were first to reveal, Harry Maguire will be sold this summer, probably leaving the captain’s armband to Casemiro. The defender was linked to Chelsea not too long ago, but the Blues have pretty much sorted their first-team backline now. It will be a switch there if he is happy to sit on the bench. We also heard of a possible transfer to Serie A.

Anthony Martial

Another who has been earmarked for a move away since the move. Martial will be out the door as injuries and inconsistent form see him surplus to requirements. There will be suitors.

Donny van de Beek

It was thought that perhaps the Dutchman would come into his own with Ten Hag at the helm. Such fresh form has not been forthcoming and he will be shown the exit.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka enjoyed a turn in form in the new year but Man Utd still don’t see a future with the defender. He came back to Carrington over the summer, ripped and ready, boasting a stellar physique, but it was not enough for Ten Hag, who sees better alternatives on the market. His gametime and displays recently has increased his value so it’s win-win.

Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga has failed to make an impression under Ten Hag and we understand that Man Utd want to sell him with a buy-back clause. If no club accepts that, he will be sold outright.

Phil Jones

Maddening to think Phil Jones is among the squad still. He will leave in the summer, likely to a Championship side.

Brandon Williams

The youngster has made one outing for Man Utd this season. The side may be able to persuade a club to depart with £10 million or more in the upcoming window. Youth and versatility will raise the price of the wing-back.

Facundo Pellistri

In search of game-time, Facundo Pellistri will depart. He is with the former agent of Nunez, who has ties with Jorge Mendes, so it’s possible he lands a decent club.

Alex Telles

Alex Telles will not feature for Man Utd again. He is playing left-back for La Liga club Sevilla, on loan. It’s possible we will remain there if the price is right.

Possible departures

Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes does not have the required personality for Ten Hag, though he has world-class capabilities when he turns it on. It will be a hard one for the manager. He could represent a hefty return if moved on, but probably unlikely at this stage. Another game or two like the one against Liverpool could change that though. Ten Hag won’t stand for performances like that.

Jadon Sancho

We have reason to believe that had Man Utd not paid so much for Jadon Sancho, he would have been sold a while back. He started to click and has come back in better shape and with a clearer head. Ten Hag will probably want to give it another season or so. Sancho is extremely capable on his day, but his very best is still back in the Bundesliga all that time ago. The clock might be ticking, but you can only hope Sancho is fully revived to his Bundesliga form.