4 Players who don't seem to have a future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United

The Red Devils had a tumultuous start to their 2018-19 campaign after a disappointing preseason which was mostly mired by Mourinho's ever-growing moaning of the lack of quality players.

The Portuguese guided United to their worst ever start in a Premier League until a shambolic performance against Liverpool saw Mourinho getting the boot and replaced by a former player and club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Unlike Mourinho, the new caretaker manager immediately made a mark as his United side thumped Cardiff City by five goals which were also the first time the Red Devils managed to score five in a match since Sir Alex Ferguson's farewell. The form continued as United moved from sixth to fifth in the league table and are also fighting for a trophy with both the Champions League and the FA Cup being the two viable options.

Under Solskjaer, the club is yet to taste a defeat, and this consistent run of results is mostly down to the performances of few of their star players like Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. Both of them had a difficult time under Jose with the latter even been called a virus by the former manager. Despite the improved performances of some of the players, there are others who don't seem to find a spot in the team and could consider leaving Old Trafford before the start of the next season.

Here are the four players who have been a loyal servant to the club for all these years but don't seem to have a future under the caretaker manager.

#4 Matteo Darmian

Matteo started his career with AC Milan before moving Torino after a couple of spells in between with Padova and Palermo in Italy. After spending four seasons at Torino, the Italian right-back signed for Manchester United in 2015 under the then manager, Louis Van Gaal.

When Damian first started his career at United, he seemed to be a perfect deputy of Antonio Valencia. However, the pace and physicality of the Premier League eventually caught up with the Italian who gradually moved from being a first-team player to a backup squad member.

There were speculations of him leaving the club at the start of the current campaign, but given United's injury worries and lack of reinforcements at the back, Matteo decided to stay back and help the club, which in itself is a sign of a true professional. In case Darmian leaves in the summer, he would always be remembered as a reliable squad player including the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the UEFA Europea League he won in the process.

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#3 Antonio Valencia

Valencia has been struggling with injuries.

Not many could argue what Valencia has done for the club since he signed from Wigan in 2009. The Ecuadorian had a stellar first few seasons United which made Sir Alex Ferguson hand him the coveted number 7 jersey after Antonio was named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year in the 2011-12 season.

However, the two-time Premier League winner reverted to his former No 25 jersey after a disappointing 2012-13 campaign. Over the years, Valencia has been the first name in the team sheet, and even Jose Mourinho regarded him as the best right back in the world.

Since Ole arrived at the club, Antonio has been struggling to get into the starting XI with injuries further worsened his chances. There was speculation of him leaving in January, but the Manchester United captain would see out the season and might move elsewhere in the summer. It would be an emotional farewell for Antonio after spending a decade at the Theatre of Dreams.

#2 Juan Mata

The inclusion of Juan Mata could raise some eyebrows, but the Spaniard is having a hard time getting into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans.

Juan was one of the two signings under David Moyes - with the other one, Fellaini leaving the club in January. United needed a creative player at the time, and Mata was the perfect solution to their woes. His partnership with Rooney was immaculate, and he was instrumental in United's FA Cup success under Louis Van Gaal.

Once Jose became the manager, it seemed Mata's time would come to an abrupt end at the club. However, Mourinho did him give an occasional chance and Juan gladly obliged putting in a decent shift at most times.

There is no shadow of a doubt about his ability, but it's the lack of game time that could frustrate the Spaniard who is yet to sign a new contract at the club. Previously Mourinho and now Solskhaer prefers him to start on the bench rather be in the first XI. If Juan doesn't see himself permanently in the manager's plan, he could well leave to find a regular starting spot somewhere else.

#1 Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo would struggle to get into the starting XI.

Marcos Rojo signed for Manchester United from Sporting CP in 2014 at a transfer fee of £16 million. The Argentine started as a left back for United but moved to a center-back position later.

Rojo is someone who has always given his hundred percent and never refrained from lunging into tackles. He is an old school no-nonsense defender who formed a significant partnership with Phil Jones under Jose Mourinho.

However, injuries took the better of him as Marcos struggled to get a run of games under his belt. His last appearance was against Valencia in the Champions League, but since then, he has been out of the squad due to a mysterious injury. United are supposedly preparing a massive bid for a defender in the summer and would need to sell a couple of players of their own to fund that transfer with Rojo being the one who could face the ax.

Edited by Abhinav Munshi