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Manchester United could be in for yet another squad rebuild with a mass exodus likely to take place in the summer.
The Manchester United ship has steadied considerably under interim manager Ralf Rangnick. After two disappointing 1-1 draws against Burnley and Southampton, they have now picked up back-to-back wins over Brighton and Leeds United.
The fact that the Red Devils have been able to carve out plenty of chances in all of these matches is definitely an encouraging sign for the side. With the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho sharing the load of chance creation, the team has looked balanced and well-rounded.
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However, to sustain this momentum and continue with the improvement, this Manchester United squad needs to stay largely unperturbed. The way things are going right now, the Red Devils might need to do things all over again as some of their key players are set to leave this summer.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five Manchester United players who are likely to leave at the end of the season.
(Note: Players out on loan like Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek haven't been included)
#5 Eric Bailly
Manchester United signed Eric Bailly six years ago during Jose Mourinho's managerial reign. Bailly has oscillated between the extraordinary and the reckless over his injury-plagued stint at Manchester United.
His constant fitness problems have now made the Old Trafford faithful resigned to the fact that Bailly might never really fulfill the promise he showed in his early years.
The 27-year-old is likely to leave the club in the summer as he is currently behind Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones in the pecking order. As per reports, Jose Mourinho is interested in working with Bailly again.
In fact, it has been claimed that the 'Special One' tried to sign the centre-back during the summer transfer window at AS Roma. The Serie A outfit are now expected to return for Bailly this summer.
#4 Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani became a fan favorite at Manchester United after producing several quality performances in his first season at the club. He scored 17 goals and has provided six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season.
What makes those figures impressive is the fact that he came off the bench in almost half of those games. The Uruguayan international then extended his contract by a year in the summer.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival and niggling injury issues have rendered Cavani a peripheral figure at the club. He has started just six Premier League games this season.
The 34-year-old's involvement in the Champions League has also been limited to three substitute appearances. Cavani's contract expires in the summer and he is very likely to depart at the end of the season.
#3 Jesse Lingard
It is still unclear why Manchester United decided to keep Jesse Lingard for the 2021-22 season. Lingard had a fruitful loan spell with West Ham United in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign.
With Bruno Fernandes having nailed down the role of the attacking midfielder, Lingard was always going to play second fiddle at Manchester United. The 29-year-old has started merely a game each in the Premier League, Champions League and the League Cup.
Lingard's contract expires this summer and he is not expected to put pen to paper on a new deal. Manchester United should have cashed in on him last summer when there was plenty of interest in him. Instead, they've taken a season off Lingard, who has now entered the final years of his prime.
They've also lost the opportunity to free up some funds through his sale and are likely to lose him on a free transfer in the summer.
#2 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has shown Manchester United exactly how good he can be since returning to the club earlier this month after a three-month layoff from a hamstring injury. He has turned in one quality performance after another and the Red Devils have looked much better in possession with the Frenchman in the side.
Pogba is yet another player whose contract expires this summer. Reports have suggested that the 28-year-old is weighing up his options and has not given up on the idea of signing an extension. Champions League qualification and a promise to further bolster the squad in the summer could get Pogba to stay.
They'll need to give him a bumper offer anyway as the Frenchman is unlikely to have a shortage of suitors, particularly when he is available on a free transfer.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United hasn't exactly gone according to plan. The Portuguese international has struggled to score goals in recent weeks. He has netted just once in his last seven outings and has also missed several clear-cut opportunities to find the back of the net.
It is clear that Manchester United need to move on from Ronaldo as they need a more mobile striker who is adept at link-up play. The Portuguese international is not a great fit for their system. Although he has scored some important goals this term, the jury is still out on whether he has improved the side since his arrival.
Ronaldo still wants to win more trophies and should Manchester United not qualify for the Champions League next term, he is very likely to leave in the summer.
