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Playing time matters to every footballer in the world. Be it for whichever club, minutes gained on the pitch are pivotal in defining a professional footballer's career. It may be the catalyst to your selection for the national squad, or the reason for your downfall. No footballer in the world likes to watch the game from the sidelines, but the problem is that the manager can only field 11 players at a time.
Manchester United are a big club. There is a fierce competition for places in the squad, be it the goalkeeper's role or the striker. Jose Mourinho sticks with a few players he knows he can trust every game, and gives squad players a chance only in the cup tournaments.
David De Gea, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Antonio Valencia, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku are on Mourinho's list of trusted lieutenants and almost always start a match when they are fit.
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This leaves very few places to fight for, and hence we take a look at 5 players who need to leave Manchester United to salvage their career.
#5 Matteo Darmian
One of former manager Louis Van Gaal's signings, Matteo Darmian was brought to Manchester United on the back of some consistent and impressive performances for Torino in Serie A and the Italian national team. He was expected to be the long term solution for the right-back position in the squad.
Initially flourishing, Darmian showed why he was signed for the club by putting in some impressive performances on the pitch, however, he was never able to consistently perform at the top level required to play for a club like United and has made just 4 appearances in the Premier League this season, falling behind Antonio Valencia in the pecking order.
Still just 28, and a regular starter for Italy, Darmian still has time on his side to carve out a successful playing career. Furthermore, he needs minutes on the pitch to justify his starting spot for the national side.
#4 Daley Blind
Captain of the Dutch national squad, Daley Blind was signed from Ajax in the summer of 2014. Highly versatile, Blind is capable of playing as a centre back, left back and central midfielder. He possesses a wide array of passing skills and is a composed player on the pitch.
Starting the season as a left back, Blind has fallen down the pecking order behind Ashley Young and Luke Shaw. He has started all of Man United's games in the Champions League but has been confined to just 5 appearances in the Premier League this season.
The Dutchman is unlikely to regain his starting berth in the squad and has been linked with a move away to Roma in Italy.
#3 Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo was signed for United after having a successful World Cup in 2014 for Argentina in Brazil. The Argentine is capable of playing both as a left-back or in the heart of defense.
However, over time Rojo has shown that he is prone to the odd error and is characterized by his rash tackling on the pitch. He put in some impressive performances and formed a formidable partnership with Phil Jones in the 2016-17 season but has since seen playing time hard to come by after recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
Manager Mourinho prefers Bailly and Jones as his main central defenders, with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof providing cover. This has seen Rojo feature in just 10 matches this season and should be looking to leave the club in the summer.
#2 Sergio Romero
Sergio Romero was signed for United due to wide speculation that De Gea would leave for Real Madrid. With the Spaniard's transfer eventually collapsing, the Argentine has been confined to the bench ever since, only featuring for United in cup competitions.
He was part of the squad that won the Europa League last year and started in the final. This season, however, chances have been hard to come by. Romero is by no way a goalkeeper worthy of being confined to the bench and is an automatic starter for Argentina.
The shot-stopper has made just 6 appearances for his side in the Premier League over the past 3 years. With De Gea an undisputed starter, he should be looking for a new club where he would be No.1 in goal.
#1 Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera has attained somewhat of a cult status with the fans by virtue of his fiery performances on the pitch. Herrera was an integral part of the squad under Mourinho last season, however, after the arrival of Matic from Chelsea, the Spaniard has found game time hard to come by.
Herrera won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year last season and has built his reputation as a hard tackler in the middle of the pitch. His performances in the 2016-17 season also resulted in a call up for Spain and he is too good a player to be warming the bench.
Recently, he has seen youngster Scott McTominay also surpass him in the pecking order and hence, the midfielder should be looking for a move away from the Manchester club this summer.
