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Manchester United have a lot of rebuilding to do ahead of the 2018/19 season. The Red Devils had a year to forget, where they underachieved in every tournament they were a part of. It is clear that the current squad is just not good enough to compete with the rest of the big guns. United are out of the Champions League next season as well, and have to play the qualifying stages of the UEFA Europa League. A big summer awaits the club, where Solskjaer is expected to spend heavily in the transfer market.
Also Read: 4 Signings that can make Manchester United title contenders next season
But before indulging in the summer, the Norwegian must also be prepared to wield the axe. The club needs to get rid of some of the dead wood who have been a burden for United of late. There are talks of a lot of players leaving in the summer, but the Red Devils must ensure that they let go of some under performers before the start of the next season. But who are the 5 men United must sell in the summer? Read on to find out.
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Note: Ashley Young narrowly misses out of this list, as he is versatile enough to carry out quite a few roles and could be a back up for the United full backs.
#5 Chris Smalling
The English international will be 30 this November and it is highly unlikely that Chris Smalling will improve any further. It is hard to believe that the player who was brought to Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson has failed to live up to expectations after spending 9 seasons with the club. Smalling joined United in the summer of 2010 and looked set to take over the mantle from Vidic and Ferdinand in due time. Unfortunately, the Englishman never kicked into a higher gear and his mediocre performances have cost United repeatedly.
Smalling has shown promise through these years, but he has been extremely inconsistent. Only a failure of United to procure better defenders has seen him play for the club for so long. Last season, Smalling was average again and Solskjaer struggled to provide Victor Lindelof with a stable partner. United ended up conceding 54 goals, the first time they had done so in the history of the Premier League!
It is understandable that Solskjaer wants a defender in the summer, but before that, United need to offload Smalling and make space for a few teenagers in the squad.
Axel Tuanzebe has impressed on loan and should be a part of the squad next season. It is time United took a practical approach of things and shipped Smalling off to a proper suitor.
#4 Phil Jones
Phil Jones is a liability at Manchester United and it is high time the Red Devils consider cashing in on him. Jones has hardly done anything this season to impress and every time he has been on the field, he has looked tensed and nervous. As United look to rebuild over the summer, the central defense remains the main area of attention, and Jones has been one of the poorest performers in the defense for Manchester United.
The Englishman had only 23 appearances this season and now looks like a fringe player at Old Trafford. This is a big departure from the young man who had arrived from Blackburn with a lot of expectations in 2011. Jones is 27 years old now and has not fulfilled any of those. Rather, he has been a bundle of errors and has also added a humiliating own goal record to his name.
His commitment on the pitch is unquestionable, but Jones is simply not good enough for Manchester United. As the Red Devils aim to reclaim their throne, it is time that they let Jones ply his trade elsewhere.
#3 Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard broke into the United first team under Louis van Gaal in the 2014/15 season, making just one start before he was sent on loan. He returned the next season to feature heavily, racking up 40 appearances and showing a lot of promise. Since then, Lingard has been a regular feature in the United team but has failed to hit a higher gear.
The Englishman is extremely hard working on the pitch and can play across the front three. However, the problem with Lingard is that he is a jack of all trades and a master of none. While he has been impressive on the odd occasions, Lingard does not have the qualities that are required in the final third of the pitch. The Englishman is another mediocre player who has cost United this season.
Jesse Lingard will be 27 years old in December this year and cannot be considered a developing player anymore. As such, expecting Lingard to hit a higher gear is asking too much. United would be better advised to sell him in the summer, as they pursue a right winger who can take them forward next season.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Manchester United paid the big money for Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2017. The Belgian was decent in the 2017/18 season, scoring 27 goals in 57 appearances. However, he was a big failure this season, managing just 15 goals from 45 appearances and United were short-handed in the final third as a result. While the Belgian alone cannot be held responsible for United scoring 30 goals less than champions Manchester City, Lukaku does have a few problems which show no signs of going away.
For starters, the Belgian has a pathetic first touch, which has haunted him throughout his career. United's counter-attacks have often failed because Lukaku cannot keep the ball at his feet. The Belgian can hold the ball well but is not effective with his back to the goal. Even when he is through on goal, Lukaku has a habit of missing easy chances. This season, Lukaku has missed 15 big chances in the Premier League alone.
The United No. 9 also suffers from indecision in the final third. He is very inconsistent on the field and his fluctuating form has hurt United this season. It is high time United replaced him with a proper striker who can score 30 goals per season on an average.
Also Read: 4 Strikers Manchester United can target to replace Lukaku
#1 Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is the summation of everything that is currently wrong at Manchester United. Last January, Manchester United indulged in the Chilean, getting him from Arsenal in a transfer that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to the Emirates. It was a move that was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford; United already had Rashford and Martial vying for the same left attacking slot. However, Sanchez was supposed to be the finished material that Jose Mourinho craved. United gave him the coveted No. 7 and a huge salary package to match. A year and a half later, that salary package has cost United a lot of ground in negotiations with their other stars.
The Chilean on the other hand has hardly done anything of note during his time at the club. He has been extremely poor and recurring injuries have not helped either. Sanchez will turn 31 this December and United will be wise to sell him at a reduced price, if required, and free up their pay role.
It will be a sad end to another player who arrived at the club with a lot of expectations and failed to live up to them. But it is time for the Red Devils to put the Sanchez saga behind them once and for all.
