Manchester United were reportedly eager to have a very “important” summer, this time around and move forward with Solskjaer’s vision. But unfortunately, the club has signed only one player till now and has sold only one player, that to, on a free transfer. Let alone signing players, the incompetency of the United board can be seen by their disability to move players on from the club.
The Red Devils have carried a lot of deadwood in the club for quite a significant amount of time. The deadwood refers to players the manager feels are surplus to needs or are simply not at the standard the club wants its players to be on. United have a lot of players who are in the club, with high wages and aren’t even playing a part in the first-team.
Let us have a look at some of the deadwood Manchester United need to sell this summer.
JESSE LINGARD –
Graduating from Manchester United’s academy, Jesse Lingard had quickly won hearts at Old Trafford with his silky skills and outstanding goals. Lingard was touted to become one of the best at United a couple of years ago, in the earlier seasons of Mourinho’s reign. But since then, his drop in form has been shambolic as he has been unable to stamp an authority on the pitch.
Lingard just managed to get one goal in the Premier League last season, that to on the last day of the season. He has now become one of the most disliked players in the United squad and surely doesn’t deserve a place in the squad. The board have failed to move Lingard to another club, despite Lingard hiring Mino Raiola as his agent.
ANDREAS PEREIRA –
Coming into the previous season, Andreas Pereira was one of the most anticipated additions to the United squad after a few cameos in the season before that. But Pereira has failed to live up to the standards of Manchester United miserably even after playing at several different positions last season. The Brazilian played as a holding midfielder, as an attacking midfielder and even as a right-winger but failed to succeed anywhere.
The midfielder has fallen way below the pecking order after the arrival of Bruno Fernandes. Although he has been linked to several Spanish and Portuguese clubs, United have failed to seize a move away from Old Trafford for Pereira.
JUAN MATA –
The veteran midfielder still has the qualities on the ball, no doubt, but has lost his pace and work-rate off the ball. Mata has been generally employed on the right-wing as Bruno has taken up the No.10 role in the United squad. Mata was great for the Red Devils in cup competitions, especially in FA Cup and the Europa League.
But his age has got the better of him and he, with his high wages, definitely doesn’t deserve a place anymore in the first-team squad. United should sell Mata as this is the time to get the optimal value out of him, and his value will only decrease with time.
CHRIS SMALLING –
Chris Smalling was one of United’s best assets to sell this transfer window after his good performances in the Serie-A, on-loan. The defender was almost sure to join AS Roma on a permanent basis, but it has recently been reported that a deal didn’t go through, as United rejected Roma’s latest bid. It was touted that Smalling’s sale would give United about £15m, but now it seems as if United won’t be able to sell him.
Smalling will surely play well in the Serie-A, but due to his age, slow pace and lack of passing ability will make him a liability in the Premier League. Solskjaer could use him in cup games though and give rest to Maguire and Lindelof who were over-used last season. But still, the United board could have and should have sold Smalling to AS Roma and generated funds.
PHIL JONES –
Arguably the most undeserving player in the Manchester United squad, Phil Jones has become a meme-material for fans around the world. His fitness has been a serious issue since the past couple of years as he has been on the sidelines more often than not. Whenever he has played, for most of the times, he has been a liability for United and has underperformed.
This will be Jones’ 10th season with United and a lot of football fans have been gambling in the Online Casino Snoop about his exit from Old Trafford. The club has successively failed to find a club for Jones and it is still unlikely for any Premier League club to sign Jones.
SERGIO ROMERO –
After Dean Henderson’s long-term contract at United earlier this summer, Romero’s future at Old Trafford has become grim. The Argentine shot-stopper has been the best back-up goalkeeper in the world for the Red Devils and has performed well when called into action. The goalkeeper has been linked with several clubs this summer like Leeds United and Aston Villa.
Romero was closely linked with a move to Aston Villa, but a deal has probably broken off because of his wage demands. The Villa board have instead looked to sign Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal, keeping Romero still at United. With Romero, United have a total of three seasoned goalkeepers in the Premier League and surely need to let go of Romero this summer.
