Ronaldo goes: The Man Utd stars who must be put up for transfer
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 16 Mar 2022 11:49 GMT
- 3 min read
Manchester United’s Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday confirmed that they are no longer among Europe’s elite group of teams.
The Red Devils have now won just two knockout ties in the last nine years in the European Cup – and that could quickly stretch to 10 given that their prospects of returning to the competition next year are slim due to them sitting outside of fourth in the Premier League.
Once again, Man Utd go into the summer with their squad in need of a drastic overhaul. But who in their current squad should be retained and who needs to go?
Related articles
Goalkeepers
It is hard to find too much fault with David de Gea this season, with the Spaniard one player who has constantly performed at a high level for Man Utd.
In an ideal world, Dean Henderson would make for an excellent back-up option, but realistically, he will not be sticking around for another season to sit on the bench. Ironically, this is a position that Man Utd are too strong in, if anything.
Defenders
The defence has been an Achilles heel at Man Utd for years and there has been little sign of this changing over the course of the last season, despite the addition of Raphael Varane, who deserves more time to prove himself at the club.
Harry Maguire’s chaotic season, meanwhile, should put his future in doubt. He simply has not done enough to justify his status and must go. Victor Lindelof can be given a stay of execution as he is not a bad support player but Eric Bailly and Phil Jones should be allowed to leave.
The full-back areas, too, are complicate. Luke Shaw’s future is in doubt but he is superior to Alex Telles, as well as being three years younger. Nevertheless, the Englishman’s contract runs out in 2023, making him likelier to leave.
Both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot are expendable on the right. This is an area Man Utd have to upgrade, so one can be kept and the other binned.
Midfielders
Paul Pogba is on his way out, as was effectively confirmed by Ralf Rangnick overlooking him for a starting place on Tuesday. Nemanja Matic is showing his age and can also go, while Juan Mata will leave at the end of his contract.
Meanwhile, Scott McTominay and Fred are both functional enough players but surely only supporting options in an elite side.
Bruno Fernandes, of course, stays.
Attackers
Cristiano Ronaldo will be the main talking point, but it is hard to see what either the player or the club have to gain from their relationship continuing. Both he and Edinson Cavani should be thanked at the end of the season.
Similarly, there is a debate raging around Marcus Rashford, who has failed to produce this season and looks like he needs a fresh challenge. From Man Utd’s perspective, there are others ahead of him in the queue to go.
Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, however, certainly have roles to play in the future.
