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The World-cup is over and all the major clubs across Europe are now involved in pre-season, as fans anxiously wait for the new season to start. The transfer window has opened, as clubs look to conclude business as soon as possible and make sure that their squads are ready for the upcoming season. Manchester United finished an impressive second last season behind local rivals Manchester City and will be looking to win their first title in the post-Alex Ferguson era.
Having made 3 signings already and the squad on tour in the US, it is possible that Mourinho and Ed Woodward would be looking to add reinforcements to the squad and to do so, certain players need to leave the club and find greener pastures. With a new player linked every day with Manchester United and given the stature of the club, following is a list of players that I feel should leave the club to make way for the new signings and the betterment of both the club and the player:
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#3 Luke Shaw
Honestly speaking, Luke Shaw hasn't lived up to his expectations. He moved to Old Trafford from Southampton in June 2014 in a £31m deal and made 20 appearances in an injury-interrupted first season. His performance was further hindered after his horrific injury courtesy of Hector Moreno in the Champions League in 2015.
He played just 11 times in the Premier League in each of Mourinho's two seasons at Old Trafford and the left-back has often come in for criticism from his manager for what Mourinho perceived as a lack of fitness and tactical awareness.
Luke Shaw wants to be the first name on Jose Mourinho's team sheet as he bids for a remarkable turnaround in fortunes at Manchester United. However, Shaw faces a battle with Ashley Young for United's first-choice left-back slot, while summer signing Diogo Dalot is also capable of playing there although is more comfortable on the right.
The 23-year old has just a year left on his contract and the club should look to cash in on the Englishman. A great passer of the ball with sound game reading sense and good crossing ability, Shaw was to be an instant hit given his record-breaking transfer fee at that time. While he has shown glimpses of his talent, consistency has been a problem and the fact that a 33-year-old Ashley Young starting ahead of him week in week out; raises serious questions over his credibility.
#2 Juan Mata
'Who's the greatest player in the premier league? It's you Juan Juan juan its you Juan Juan...' A true gentleman, Juan Mata has established himself as a fan favourite since day one at both Chelsea and Manchester United and his contributions off the pitch have earned him a lot of respect from fans across the world. A world-class midfielder, who steps up whenever the team needs him, Mata has a great passing range, vision, link-up play, a deadly left foot, is great at free kicks and an attitude on the pitch that has the rival fans applauding.
Juan Mata has had a great career in the Premier League with both Chelsea and Manchester United, having won the FA-cup, Champions League, Europa League and the EFL Cup in his stints at London and Manchester. A World Cup winner in 2010, Mata has seen his stock fall in the recent years and it cost him a place in the Spanish squad that went to Russia. With Luis Enrique in charge, Mata will look to impress the boss for a spot in the squad.
At 30 years of age, Mata may well be getting past his prime. And while he can produce moments of magic, the fact that Mourinho has an overloaded midfield and his preference towards a physical style of play may see his game time reduced drastically. With a final big move still in his kitty, Mata should vacate his place at the club. He should either go for newer pastures in Europe or return home to a club in Spain, where his skills and attributes will be valued and the gametime in return would give him a shot at a spot in the national squad.
#1 Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling is a United veteran, having made his debut for United on 8 August 2010 and won the league twice with the club. However, his performances have always been inconsistent and the 28-year-old has often come under fire for it.
Having played along some of the best players under Sir Alex Ferguson, Chris Smalling was supposed to be a wall in front of the goal and lead by example. A revolving door of managers and his injuries post Ferguson's retirement have hindered his progress and the player is often caught in the moment causing major defensive errors or committing bookable offences.
The injuries to Phil Jones and other defenders over the past seasons have ensured that he lacks a good partner, something that has halted his progress as a regular centre back. At 6ft4in Smalling is a formidable opponent, but his lack of pace and ball spreading ability means that United can't attack without taking the risk of being caught on a counter-attack.
While he was an integral part of the United defence that kept 17 clean-sheets last season, yet his exclusion from the World-Cup squad speaks about the lack of diversity Smalling offers, as England played with a back-3 and he was deemed incapable of initiating the play from the back.
Smalling is a great defender when it is his day, but lacks the fineness of a world-class centre-back. Irrespective of his flaws, any team would like a player like him in the squad, just for the sheer physical presence of his and many a club are his suitors. With the likes of West-Ham interested, United should look to cash in and find a much consistent player to replace him.
