A number of big-name Manchester United players could be sold this summer, according to reports.
It has been another season of struggle for the Red Devils this term, having failed to build on their third-place finish last term in their second season under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils find themselves sixth in the Premier League table, 11 points off of Tottenham and Aston Villa – who are tied on points in the race for a top four finish.
United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League appear to have faded and, with this in mind, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning a large squad overhaul.
According to Manchester Evening News, as many as seven first-team stars could be shown the exit door at Old Trafford – as well as a number of players being allowed to leave for free.
Manchester United are considering selling seven first-team players in the summer window
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing for a summer rebuild after United’s disappointing campaign
Tom Heaton, Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams all have deals that will expire in the summer and are likely to be released by Erik ten Hag’s side.
Heaton has played a bit-part role for the Red Devils – having made just three appearances since joining in June 2021 – and is deemed as surplus to requirements.
Martial, meanwhile, has been plagued by injuries in recent years and the club feel as though it is not worth extending his deal.
Williams has been on loan with Championship side Ipswich this season, where he has failed to impress and was most recently seen arriving at court over allegations he inhaled laughing gas before getting involved in a high-speed car crash.
In addition to those three players leaving on a free, the outlet claim that Omari Forson, Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal Mejbri, Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri and Mason Greenwood could all leave this summer.
The majority of those players are currently out on loan but, after underwhelming spells away from the club, are likely to be allowed to leave on a permanent deal.
Greenwood and Sancho, arguably the two biggest names on the list, seem to have their futures decided with the club unlikely to keep them upon their return to United.
Greenwood, 22, currently on loan at Spanish club Getafe, is contracted to United until 2025. However, his deal includes an option to extend that by a further 12 months.
His move to Spain was controversial despite charges of rape, assault and coercive control being dropped against the player by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.
Jadon Sancho (L) and Mason Greenwood (R) will likely be sold upon their return from loan
Donny van de Beek has been underwhelming since joining the Red Devils in July 2022
After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan but could now be prepared to let him leave permanently.
Meanwhile, Sancho’s time at the club seems to have come to an end after his public falling out with manager ten Hag.
Furthermore, youngsters such as Fernandez, Mejbri and Pellistri have all been on loan this year but haven’t kicked on and are unlikely to retain a place in United’s squad for the next campaign.
Forson is one of the few players who has remained at United in 2023-24 but has played just three times for the Red Devils in the league this campaign.
