The six players set to leave Man Utd this summer - and seven who could join them
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Erik ten Hag is currently formulating his plans for his second season in charge at Manchester United as he looks to build on a successful first year at Old Trafford.
The former Ajax manager helped the Red Devils to a third place finish in the Premier League and a return to Champions League football, as well as landing a first major honour with a Carabao Cup Final win against Newcastle United and an unsuccessful second visit to Wembley as Manchester City lifted the FA Cup after a historic final.
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Hide AdThere are several big calls lying in wait for Ten Hag as the transfer window opens and a number of players have already been confirmed as departing the club this summer - we’ve assessed the futures of several team-mates that could join them heading through the exit door.
Leaving: Phil Jones
The former England defender will bring down the curtain on his 12-year stay at Old Trafford when his current contract comes to an end over the next week. Once viewed as one of United and England’s most promising players, Jones’ career has been halted by injuries and he will hope to find better fortune elsewhere as a number of clubs consider a move for his services.
Leaving: Axel Tuanzebe
The 25-year-old defender has spent time out on loan with Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke City over the last four seasons after making his senior United debut as a substitute in a 4-0 FA Cup win against Wigan Athletic back in January 2017. However, with chances limited, the former England Under-21 defender was forced into a series of temporary moves to find first-team football and he will be on the look for a new club when his contract ends next week.
Leaving: Wout Weghorst
It’s safe to say there was some surprise when Erik ten Hag secured a loan deal for the Burnley striker in the aftermath of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Old Trafford. Little was expected of the Dutch international, and in truth, that is what he has delivered with two goals in 31 appearances. With United looking for a striker during the summer transfer window, a permanent move seems near impossible for Weghorst and he will surely move on from Burnley during the coming months.
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Hide AdLeaving: Jack Butland
After joining United on loan from Crystal Palace in January, former England goalkeeper Butland was named as an unused substitute on 23 occasions in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup but failed to make an appearance. He will spend next season at Scottish giants Rangers after agreeing a free transfer move to Ibrox.
Leaving: Zidane Iqbal
Viewed as a promising prospect, Iqbal’s United career looks set to end in the coming days after just one first-team appearance. The 20-year-old is set to join Dutch side FC Utrecht after the two clubs agreed a fee believed to be worth around £1m.
Leaving: Marcel Sabitzer
Sabitzer’s loan spell at Old Trafford was brought to a premature end by a knee injury but the Austrian international showed signs of his ability during his temporary stint with United. Three goals and an assist helped Ten Hag’s men to their Carabao Cup Final success and he also found the net in the FA Cup quarter-final win against Fulham before an injury robbed him of a second appearance at Wembley in the same competition. Now back with parent club Bayern Munich, it remains to be seen whether Sabitzer will return to United on a permanent deal.
Possible: David de Gea
Techincally, De Gea will no longer be a United player when his current contract comes to an end next week and his name appeared on the club’s released list on the Premier League website earlier this week. There is still some hope the Spain international could extend his stay at Old Trafford and talks are believed to be ongoing - but so is speculation over a possible replacement for De Gea.
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Hide AdPossible: Harry Maguire
An increasingly peripheral figure at Old Trafford last season as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane forged a strong partnership at the heart of the United defence, Maguire knows he must find first-team football if he is to keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. There is interest from elsewhere, with Aston Villa and West Ham United both believed to be considering a move for the former Leicester City defender. A suitable bid would see Maguire depart.
Possible: Brandon Williams
After some promising performances in the infancy of his time in United’s first-team, Williams has not really developed as many inside Old Trafford believed he would. A loan spell at Norwich City offered little other than senior experience and a permanent departure looks likely as the academy product enters the final year of his current contract this summer.
Possible: Scott McTominay
A midfielder that divides opinion among the Old Trafford faithful, McTominay has put in a number of eye-catching display during his time with United - but he can fall short of the standards demanded of him by his more senior team-mates. There is significant interest in the Scotland international, with Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe believed to be a long-term admirer. However, the midfielder will go nowhere until a suitor submits an offer approaching £30m.
Possible: Donny van de Beek
Injuries and inconsistency have hampered the former Ajax midfielder’s efforts to make an impact with United and last season was no different. It seems unlikely he will force his way into Ten Hag’s side during the upcoming season and there is strong speculation suggesting the Netherlands international has been offered on loan to Roma.
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Hide AdPossible: Amad Diallo
The former Atalanta winger made a real name for himself during a highly productive loan spell at now Championship club Sunderland last season, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 43 appearances in all competitions for Tony Mowbray’s side. The 20-year-old may well get a chance to impress Ten Hag in pre-season and earn himself a longer stint in United’s senior setup - but the smart money seems to be on a loan move to a Premier League club as the youngster gets a chance to prove himself in the top tier.
Possible: Dean Henderson
The England stopper’s frustrations were all too evident as David de Gea remained as United’s number one, despite Henderson putting in strong claims after a couple of fine loan spells at Sheffield United. A temporary switch to Nottingham Forest was agreed but the Whitehaven-born stopper suffered a thigh injury that limited his involvement to just 20 appearances in all competition. Despite De Gea being on a list of possible departures, it seems Ten Hag could also allow Henderson to leave on a permanent basis if a suitable offer is received.
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