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Manchester United's ongoing Premier League campaign under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been a marked improvement over last season but it hasn't been enough to mount a title challenge against Manchester City.
If United want to bolster their squad further, they will have to trim a few players and relax their wage load while improving the depth of their lineup. While Ole has done pretty well to offload quite a few of the so-called 'deadwood' players, there are still some in the current squad who do not fit into his style of play, and we look at 5 such examples:
5. Juan Mata
Juan Mata has been a delight to watch over the years but under Ole, the 33-year-old Spaniard seems to have struggled to start. With the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, the playmaking position has been heavily occupied by the Portuguese midfielder, leaving very little room for Mata to get a chance in the first team.
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Mata has made seven Premier League appearances in total this season, out of which he has only started four matches. The lovable Spaniard becomes a free agent come this summer. Although there are rumors that United might be extending Mata's contract for a year, it is more than likely that the former Chelsea man might not be in United's plans for the longer haul, especially after Donny Van De Beek was signed.
This will surely help United's wage bill, given Mata currently earns £120,000 per week. He has been a great servant for the club but it's unlikely that United's game style will suit the Spaniard anymore.
4. Andreas Pereira
Currently playing for Italian side Lazio, Andreas Pereira is a product of United's prestigious academy. The Brazilian is a dynamic midfielder but is yet to blossom in United's colors. Last season, the 25-year-old was given a good number of opportunities to showcase his talent but that did not happen. It is very unlikely that Lazio might go ahead and make it a permanent move for Pereira.
With United aiming to sign some big names this summer, the departure of Pereira is more than imminent, provided United receive an apt offer from the suitors. The tenacious midfielder has a contract until June 2023 with the Red Devils, which should help them fetch decent value in the transfer market.
3. Phil Jones
A good part of Phil Jones' United career has been marred by injuries and it doesn't look like it's going to improve any time soon. The former Blackburn centre-back has not played a single game for United in the last 15 months. Which is unfortunate, because it would have been interesting to see what the Englishman could have achieved had he stayed fit on a regular basis.
It is time for United to take a call over Jones' future, who they pay £75,000 every week. Although the Englishman has two more years left on his contract, it's very much possible that they will opt to sell Jones this summer, but the biggest question that will remain is the number of interested suitors, considering his injury record. More than likely, he will have to take a pay cut to move elsewhere.
2. Anthony Martial
When Anthony Martial arrived under Louis van Gaal, it looked like United had a star in the making. Fans were thrilled to see what the former Monaco man had to offer with his nimble footwork and amazing dribbling skills. However, the Frenchman fails to show up on a consistent basis and lacks intensity at times. That's something United cannot afford if they are to strongly challenge for the title.
Ole has tried playing him as a No. 9 as well, in the left wing position where he cherishes playing. Yet the player with earning £250,000 per week has only managed to score four goals and has been involved in three assists this season.
Martial has been at United for more than five years now, and his best season has involved him scoring 17 goals and six assists in the Premier League. It's not the return the fans expected when the Frenchman was signed from Monaco, and the team will likely be trying to ensure he is sold this summer.
1. Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard has always been a pure Mancunian by heart. That being said, the Englishman has struggled to be as consistent as one would like him to be. The attacking midfielder has surprisingly found his best form this season while on loan at West Ham United.
Contrary to his current form, Lingard has struggled to find a place in the starting XI at United. That was the primary reason why he was loaned out to West Ham this season. At the moment, it looks very unlikely that the English national will be able to get a place in the starting XI at United, and looking at how well he's been doing at West Ham, it's the perfect chance for United to sell him for a decent value or maybe even use him to bring Declan Rice to Old Trafford next season. This is a chance United shouldn't miss and it's the best route for both the club and the player to part ways amicably. It is no secret that by heart, Lingard will always remain a true Red Devil.
Notable mentions: Sergio Romero (Becomes a free agent at the end of this season) and Daniel James (Still young and can be given one more season to prove his worth)
