With the transfer window opening, fans are not only looking forward to new signings, they are also interested in seeing which players will pass.
By requiring balancing the books and managing the salary bill, expenses can be as important to a football club as any income. One area in which Manchester United have performed poorly in recent history.
Having sent some dead wood in recent windows, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been slowly trying to reverse these earlier shortcomings in squad management. However, there is still a lot of work to be done for the Norwegian, so here we will look at some of those that Ole may look to eliminate this summer.
Andreas Pereira – Initially handing Andreas a new contract in the summer of 2019, Ole saw redeeming qualities in the United academy product, so much so that he delivered the Brazilian 40 appearances throughout the 19/20 season.
However, the abundance of opportunities was not offset by performances as Andreas was still struggling to transfer the skills he has demonstrated across the ranks in a complete and balanced performance.
Ole clearly lost faith in Andreas, which was deemed unnecessary after the Bruno Fernandes purchase and was loaned out for the 20/21 season.
Andreas is well aware of his position at United and is reportedly seeking a permanent transfer, according to the MEN. Possible destinations include Belgian club Anderlecht and Brazilian club Santos, whose president Andrés Rueda recently said that he had already contacted Andreas “who is dying to play here.”
With a contract through 2023 and an option for one more year, United are in a good position to negotiate the contract, but after a rather disappointing loan and the financial crisis in Brazil due to COVID, any transfer fees from Santos will likely be. minimal.
Jesse Lingard – After a spectacular loan spell at West Ham, where Lingard won April’s Premier League Player of the Month, he’s the United outcast most likely to land a respectable transfer fee.
However, recent reports that Lingard wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford have left fans desperate for the club not to slip back into its old ways.
With the already packed squad of Bruno, Van de Beek and Pogba in Lingard’s preferred 10th position, it’s time for the Englishman to move on to improve his career and the club.
It’s time for Ole to cut the chord and for United to finally make a sale at a good price. With reports suggesting a fee of between £ 20 million and £ 30 million, that would provide a sizable chunk to add to Ole’s transfer budget.
The most likely destination is West Ham, as recently reported, Paris St. Germain’s interest should strengthen United’s position in the negotiations.
Tahith Chong – The recent news that Chong switched his international allegiance to Curaçao may point to the young winger’s career trajectory.
Having first burst onto the scene, Chong has had trouble getting acquainted with senior football and looks noticeably nervous when playing at the top level. After disappointing loans in Germany and Belgium, he has seen younger academy graduates outperform him in Manchester.
Chong’s contract at United expires in 2022, with the option to extend it for another year, meaning United may be better off cashing in now rather than another loan that exhausts his contract.
Details of a possible permanent transfer have not been rumored yet, but the winger is sure to have a host of suitors in the Netherlands.
Diogo Dalot – Dalot’s lack of defensive prowess caused him to fall out of favor with Ole and a mixed season at AC Milan is unlikely to have changed the Norwegian’s mind.
The Portuguese full-back’s versatility to play on both sides of the field is a useful attribute, but with Alex Telles, Brandon Williams and a potential raid for Kieran Trippier, no more depth is needed.
This leaves Dalot overrun with qualifications and another opportunity for the club to show fans that they can perform on both sides of the market.
With the most recent reports suggesting that AC Milan prefers another loan with a call option, United must be firm in the negotiations and demand an obligation to purchase and recover the transfer fee from Dalot before their contract runs out and his worth with him.
Juan Mata – With less than 900 minutes this season, Mata’s presence in the red this season was forgettable, if not non-existent.
This has left fans baffled at the news of a new contract offer, as Mata rarely plays and doesn’t watch the beat when he does.
However, recent reports suggest that this has as much to do with Mata’s presence off the field as it does with his impact on the field, as the Spaniard is linked to a future technical position in the club’s structure.
A reduction in salary from £ 170k to £ 100k, while making the stay more palatable, still raises concerns that that salary is being spent more wisely elsewhere. Surely a future managerial position would still be possible after a year or two playing in Spain or elsewhere, while the club saves millions in salaries.
Phil Jones – The center of ridicule from fans, Phil Jones has become a highly maligned figure in Manchester. Having not appeared due to injuries since January 2020, Jones’ playing career at United is over.
While removing Jones from the salary account would be very beneficial for United, the task will be near impossible.
With more than enough capacity to play for an inferior club in the Premier League, Jones’ injury-plagued history will mean that few clubs will be willing to risk spending their limited budget on him.
With a deal through 2023, United appears to be stuck with Jones. A loan deal that covers the majority of salaries may be the only possible exit scenario for the former England international.
Eric Bailly – Not wanting a repeat of the Jones and Rojo situations, a section of fans was stunned by the news of a contract renewal in April.
While he is capable of putting on the best performances on a good day, they are few and far between and, like Jones, he spends a considerable amount of time in the treatment room, making him unreliable for both performances and for availability.
Even when fit and functioning, Bailly was regularly eliminated by Victor Lindelof’s clearly preferred option and with a new center-back signing at the top of Ole’s roster, Bailly falls to fourth on the hierarchy list.
Considered a move to retain courage, it brings back memories of the same line that was used for the extensions given to Jones and Marcos Rojo, suggesting that the club hasn’t learned from their mistakes after all.
Publicly demanding more playing time just one month after extending his contract adds further confusion to the decision.
Axel Tuanzebe – Tied to the future of Bailly, is Axel Tuanzebe. Down in the pecking order and potentially pushed even lower with any new signings, Tuanzebe has found himself in an unfortunate position.
While he is clearly talented and has impressed the loaned Aston Villa enough to earn himself a spot on the United team, his lack of experience has led the manager to have little faith in trusting him. This places him in a trap 22 scenario of needing experience to develop, but is not given that opportunity due to his lack of experience.
Fast approaching 24 years old, Tuanzebe has just 72 senior category appearances and recent reports suggest the youngster isn’t happy about it, barely kicking a ball in the past two seasons.
Tuanzebe has spoken of his desire to play regularly and a loan seems to be on the cards, which could explain the rather odd decision to keep Bailly close.
Brandon Williams – After an outstanding season in 19/20, Williams has had a disappointing season, with little playing time and no progression.
Rumors of a move for Kieran Trippier will see Williams drop even further down the pecking order and a move is necessary.
A fiery character who bleeds for the club, Williams is beloved by fans who would be sad to see him leave, but as of now his position at the club is in jeopardy.
Showing interest throughout the season, the links to Southampton continue with Ralph Hassenhuttl speaking enthusiastically of the young player.
A loan move seems like Williams’ best bet before reevaluating next summer.
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