Antony and three Man Utd flops who are UNSELLABLE

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 30 Apr 2024 05:09 CDT
5 min read

Erik ten Hag, Antony, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United will be looking to add to their squad in the summer to build on what’s been a pretty shoddy season.

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In Erik ten Hag’s second term at Old Trafford, things have not gone great. The Red Devils have missed out on a Champions League spot in the league while they fell out of the competition via the group stage. The only saving grace is that the side do have an FA Cup final against Manchester City to look forward to.

In any case, what’s clear is that upgrades are needed all over the pitch. But of course that means shifting some of the unwanted players on, with several publications recently suggesting that the club are open to offers for a majority of their stars.

But with a lot of these names on a high salary, it’s going to be very difficult to move them on and bring in funds.

Here FootballTransfers goes through some of the unsellable players at Man Utd.

Antony

Antony recently came out to blast some of his naysayers. He has just a single goal across the season and there have been real suggestions that the Brazil winger is the worst signing of the Premier League era.

“It’s been a very tough year for me and the team,” he told reporters “The results are not ones we have expected. I am someone who takes criticism very well and I want to work on it, and I think we all have to focus on finishing the season the best as we can.

“The critics are going to exist, and it’s something that makes me want to work harder, and prove to myself first. I’m going to keep working, giving everything for the group because it’s most important to have a good mentality and to be focused.”

© IMAGO - It's been a torrid campaign for Antony

Antony will likely remain at Man Utd by default. Simply no club in the Premier League or Europe’s top five leagues will be willing to risk it for a player who’s been playing so poorly.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is a contentious figure among fans. Having scored a career-best 30 goals last term, the striker’s form has dropped off significantly. It has led to a barrage of criticism and a polarising belief that Rashford should be moved on in the summer.

But given the fact that he only signed fresh terms in July of last year, valid until 2028, Man Utd may be looking for a hefty sum for Rashford. Paris Saint-Germain had been linked but it appears now that their interest has waned.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho has had a torrid time at Man Utd since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. He has failed to perform in key games, not even amounting to a shadow of his former self in Germany. It’s been sad to watch such a huge talent go to waste. In 82 games from Man Utd across all competitions, Sancho netted just 12 goals. He had a very public falling out with Ten Hag and was subsequently shipped back to BVB on loan for the remainder of this campaign.

There have been reports that Dortmund will look to sign Sancho back permanently when the deal concludes in the summer. But they must find a middle ground with Man Utd and Sancho over fees and wages. And if that doesn’t happen, then any other offers from clubs will be in short supply. There is the sentimental link with Sancho and BVB that could see them pay more where others would be less inclined to.

Harry Maguire

It seems a tad harsh to include Harry Maguire in this list. He was stripped of the captaincy, dropped from the side by Ten Hag, and acted as a scapegoat for the poor displays of other players. But the England defender has re-emerged with some decent showings.

He has become a reliable squad member for the club. But the simple fact remains that Maguire, who is contracted to Man Utd until 2025 with an option of an extra year, is going to be hard to sell as he will be happy on his current deal. West Ham had made offers for Maguire but they turned their attention elsewhere. Are there many clubs who would want to buy Maguire and find an agreement with the 31-year-old close to his £200,000 per week deal? It’s very unlikely.