Ratcliffe’s Man Utd rebuild: The four players who are INDISPENSIBLE

Robin Bairner

Updated: 18 Apr 2024 11:00 BST
4 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are set for a reset under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, with every inch of the club set to be studied and assessed.

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Much of the scrutiny will fall on the squad ahead of the summer transfer window, during which there is set to be a transformation of Man Utd’s playing staff.

Sitting seventh in the Premier League having endured a frustrating season under Erik ten Hag, who is likely to leave in the summer, huge alterations are afoot.

For example, only one player in the Man Utd squad would get into Liverpool’s starting XI. If Ratcliffe wants to get this squad performing to the level of a title contender, an overhaul is needed.

Indeed, it is damning for the Old Trafford squad that there are so few players in the squad who cannot be sold at any cost.

Only four players fall into this category.

Bruno Fernandes

Man Utd’s captain, Bruno might not be universally loved by Premier League fans, yet the 29-year-old is absolutely essential to this squad and one of the few players on the books who could play for anyone in the league.

His value to the squad is clear. The former Sporting star has 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions, with no Man Utd player having more goal involvements this season.

It would cost an astronomical figure to replace him.

Rasmus Hojlund

STATS

Rasmus Højlund

F (CRL)

Manchester United

Rasmus Højlund

F (CRL)

Manchester United

31

Games
13

Goals
2

Assists

© IMAGO - Rasmus Hojlund has been on fire lately

After a slow start to life at Old Trafford, Hojlund is showing himself to be one of the most promising strikers in world football.

Data analytics experts SciSports confirm that he could become one of the best in his position in the world. Man Utd must be careful not to stunt his development.

He was signed for the princely fee of €74m from Atalanta last summer, but the signs are that he will prove worth it.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Alejandro Garnacho

At only 19, the young winger has already made himself a player who cannot be sold in the summer. He has featured on 42 occasions this season and has scored nine goals.

Quick, technically strong and intelligent when making his runs, he is already a very capable Premier League winner. His decision making, meanwhile is improving and if he can add some physicality to his game, he could become world class.

United must nurture his talent.