Fernandes in, Ronaldo out: Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd clear-out

FT Desk

• Updated: 15 Apr 2022 18:45 BST
• 8 min read

Manchester United are set to make a number of major changes this summer and former midfielder Kleberson believes some of the club's biggest stars could end up joining the transfer window clear out when Erik Ten Hag arrives.

The current Ajax manager is expected to become the next permanent manager of the Premier League side, with huge changes expected in a squad that have underperformed for much of the season.

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As such, Kleberson believes Ten Hag could sanction a fire sale of players at Man Utd in the coming months.

"I can see a lot of players at Manchester United leaving if they appoint a new manager who is building for the long term,” said the former Brazil international in an interview with Paddy Power.

“It gives Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo the opportunity to leave the club as a lot of things can change with a new manager.

"Fernandes is a special player and Manchester United need a player who can decide the game and create something in important moments. It's hard when there are so many quality players and big names. It's important to keep players like Bruno Fernandes to prepare properly for the future. We don't know what's going to happen with Harry Maguire either."

Kleberson added: "Erik ten Hag would represent a change in style as his teams like to have the ball and have more possession and that could help the quality players at United like Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford – they like to have the ball at their feet.”

So which star players could end up leaving Man Utd ahead of the new season as Ten Hag looks to turn the club’s fortunes around?

Who could leave Man Utd under Ten Hag?

There’s no doubt that a number of Man Utd stars will leave the club when this season comes to an end.

For example, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and, most notably, Paul Pogba are expected to all leave when their contracts expire. But they certainly won’t be the only ones.

In defence, Ten Hag could quite easily sanction the sale of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Alex Telles, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot without even a whimper of protest from Man Utd fans.

And while kleberson may suggest otherwise, it seems far more likely that Fernandes will stay put at the club next season. Even if Pogba and possibly Nemanja Matic depart the midfield in the summer.

Up front, Man Utd are already expected to lose Cavani and Lingard, but there’s a good chance Cristiano Ronaldo may also move on if Ten Hag suggests that his starting role in the team is now up for debate.