Manchester United are reportedly not looking to sign direct replacements for a number of established first-team stars who will be leaving the club this summer.
According to Andy Mitten, new manager Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window at the helm is likely to see a raft of senior players pushed towards the exit door at Old Trafford, with incomings expected to be kept at a premium despite the anticipated number of departures.
Manchester United Not Expected to Replace Senior Players the Club will Axe This Summer
Erik ten Hag Era Starting to Take Shape at Old Trafford
New Manchester United manager Erik teg Hag has already started work at his new club, having arrived in England as soon as possible after completing last season at his former club Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie.
It is worth noting that the Dutchman’s reign at Old Trafford is expected to unfold as more of a long-term evolution as opposed to a shorter-term revolution at the Theatre of Dreams, with the 52-year-old likely to be given time to instil his ideas and playing philosophy.
This means a raft of new signings coming into the club this summer is not to be expected, despite large numbers of the current first-team staff certain to leave in the coming weeks.
A group of experienced players whose best days are behind them have yet to leave the club but will upon the expiry of their contracts now the 2021/22 season has come to a close. Midfielders Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic have both been Manchester United players for a number of years but are looking for new clubs ahead of next season. Striker Edinson Cavani is also looking for a new club after two contrasting years in Manchester.
Additionally, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard will leave Old Trafford for nothing this summer. The former is looking to find a new club elsewhere in Europe, while Lingard is expected to stay in the Premier League when he leaves his boyhood club.
While this means the midfield will be in need of major surgery, ten Hag may not be given any new signings to work with in this area in his debut season if the club’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong proves unsuccessful. Fellow Dutchman Donny van de Beek is expected to play an important role under ten Hag having spent six months on loan at Everton last season.
Other Big Names Facing Uncertain Futures
The exodus of players leaving Old Trafford as free agents may not be the only outgoings from the club over the summer transfer window, with a number of players still under contract facing uncertain futures following a bitterly disappointing season in 2021/22.
Chief among them is France striker Anthony Martial, who is unwanted by Sevilla after an unflattering loan spell in Spain’s La Liga. The 26-year-old is under contract at Old Trafford until 2024, but may be shifted on another loan deal this summer.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson could look for a new club this summer too, having failed to dislodge David de Gea as United’s first-choice between the posts. At 25 years of age, Henderson could decide that now is the time to look for a permanent move rather than another loan, having previously enhanced his reputation while at Sheffield United in 2019/20.
Given that ten Hag has cut a decisive and authoritative figure since arriving as the new Manchester United manager, it would be no surprise to see other players included in the club’s summer departures list given their collective struggles last season.
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