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After a season of ups and downs for Manchester United, manager Louis Van Gaal will definitely be back in the transfer market with a vengeance in order to strengthen some of his squad’s key positions. Meanwhile, several Red Devils have spent the season on loan at various clubs enduring mixed results. Now Van Gaal is known for his ruthlessness as well as his compassion. So you can expect some loanees to be given a run in the first team while the others will almost certainly be shown the door. So who makes the cut, and who doesn’t? Browse through the list to find out.
Tom Cleverley
Status: Out
One man whose fate away from Old Trafford is definitely sealed is Tom Cleverley. The midfielder, who has been with United since the age of 11, showed a lot of promise in his first two seasons but experienced a steady dip in form soon after and was one of the lacklustre performers of the Moyes era.
Moyes’ replacement Van Gaal was unconvinced by the midfielder’s talents and shipped him out on loan to Aston Villa, something which the player himself approved as he saw the move as a way to escape all the negativity he endured at United. With his place in the United midfield already filled, and more signings in midfield expected to follow, I see no logical way for Cleverley to regain his place in the first team. Cleverley has formed a good rapport with Villa gaffer Tim Sherwood, and a permanent move away from his boyhood club looks highly certain.
Nani
Status: Out
Another player who has been an underperformer not just of the Moyes era, but his entire United career as a whole is Luis Nani. The man who was once heralded as the next big football talent to emerge out of Portugal has been an utter let down, and although he can create pure magic when he hits top gear. He just isn’t consistent enough to be a Manchester United player. Although Sir Alex’s successor David Moyes rewarded Nani with a new long term contract, the winger didn’t repay his manger’s faith in him and made just 11 appearances in the 2013-2014 season.
Following one appearance under new manager Louis Van Gaal, Nani was loaned out to his former club Sporting Lisbon where he has experienced a resurgence in form and even helped his side lift the Portuguese Cup. However Van Gaal seemingly has no place for Nani in his plans, and the arrival of the young and promising Memphis Depay has left no realistic chance of Nani regaining his place in the first team. A permanent move to Sporting is just waiting to happen.
Javier Hernandez
Status: Out
Chicharito has given Manchester United some beautiful memories, and will always have a place in the hearts of the Old Trafford faithful, mine included. Alas! his future at the Theatre Of Dreams looks bleak. After a decent season on loan at Real Madrid, where he scored some important goals, the Mexican’s deal was not made permanent and faces an uncertain future.
However, despite the departure of Radamel Falcao and the possible departure of Van Persie, Hernandez has no place in Van Gaal’s plans due to the Dutchman’s want of a powerful 20 goal striker who’s capable of firing United to the title. Van Gaal himself admitted that Hernandez isn’t part of his plans next season, so a permanent move away would suit both parties. And there wouldn’t be any shortage of suitors for this lethal poacher.
Ben Amos
Status: Out
The talented goalkeeper, who has been with United since the age of 11, has been shipped out on loan to various Championship clubs since his first team debut in 2008. However, the goalkeeper is 25 now – the age where he should be playing for the first team, and that doesn’t look likely at Manchester United. David De Gea is not only one of the best stoppers in the world but also the clubs undisputed number one, and even if he does depart for Real Madrid, the seasoned Victor Valdes is waiting to take his place.
That said, it’s almost impossible for Amos to force his way into the first team. The player, who is out of contract this summer, stated that a departure from Manchester United on a Bosman transfer is extremely likely, and by the looks of it that’s just what’s going to happen.
Will Keane
Status: Out
The youngster who was once touted as a future star for Manchester United has failed to force his way into the first team, and has been sent out on loan to various clubs since his United debut in the 2011-2012 season. Keane, who was a regular scorer for Manchester United’s youth squads is out of contract at the end of the season and could find himself with a new club before the next campaign commences.
Will Keane is behind Rooney, Van Persie, and Wilson in the pecking order and could find himself further shunted out if and when a new striker arrives at Old Trafford. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Will joins his brother Michael in departing Manchester United.
Saidy Janko
Status: In
The youngster’s arrival was overshadowed by the signing of Marouane Fellaini on deadline day, but it was the former who had an excellent first season with Manchester United. Janko’s low-key arrival didn’t stop him from going from strength to strength with United’s youth team where he performed so excellently that he was awarded the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year. The youngster’s undeniable talent attracted plaudits from his coaches as well as Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.
The 19-year-old was loaned out to Bolton Wanderers after making his first team debut in the disastrous 4-0 loss to MK Dons, and introduced himself to his loan club by assisting Eidur Guojohnsen’s goal as well as scoring a wonder goal himself to hand his team a 3-1 victory against Fulham. The Swiss is capable of operating as a right back as well as a winger and is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
Jesse Lingard
Status: In
The Warrington born midfielder was one of the stars of Manchester United’s last two pre-season tours and is touted by many as a potential star of the future. The youngster, who rejected Liverpool for Manchester United as a 9-year-old, has had several successful loan spells with various Championship clubs and was even handed a new contract earlier this year by Van Gaal who praised the midfielder’s talent.
Lingard was even given a run in the first team in Van Gaal’s first Premier League game but was substituted within 24 minutes due to injury in an eventual loss to Swansea. The youngster was once again sent out on loan to Derby where he unsurprisingly showed great promise and is now on the fringes of the first team. Sir Alex once told the youngster that he’ll be ready for the first team once he’s 22 and if all goes well that might just happen.
Reece James
Status: In
The headline stealer of Manchester United’s 2014 pre- season tour of the United States, James announced himself to the world with a beautiful brace against LA Galaxy in the Chevrolet Cup. Although he’s yet to appear for the first team, the youngster was a regular with United’s youth squads and was even awarded the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season.
The 21-year-old is highly versatile and is capable of operating as a centre back as well as a full back, making him a real asset to Van Gaal. James could be sent out on loan for one more season to gain experience or be given a run in the first team. The youngster will face tough competition for places if he’s given a run in the first team, but the ability to rise above all that is what makes a promising player a great one.
Angelo Henriquez
Status: In
The youngster was signed by Manchester United, who first took him on trial in 2009 and purchased the rights to sign him any time before 2014. They signed him in 2012 and he made an immediate impact for the Under-21 side. After two disappointing loan spells with Wigan Athletic and Real Zaragoza, Henriquez has been sensational for Dinamo Zagreb where he hit 29 goals in 36 appearances including a hat trick against RNK Split which helped his team clinch the Croatian league title.
With United in desperate need of goalscoring strikers; Van Gaal, who is known to put his faith in promising youth players, might just give him a run in the first team. And although the Croatian league is nowhere near the level of the Premier League, the talent of Henriquez that have been on full display during his loan spell could work in his favour.
His consistency and ruthleseness in front of goal are two things that are expected from any Manchester United striker.
Guillermo Varela
Status: In
The youngster, who holds the distinction of being David Moyes’ first signing at Manchester United, is a highly rated right back who was picked up by the Red Devils after his performance in the 2013 U-20 World Cup. Varela was sent out on loan to Real Madrid’s Castilla team where his quality caught the eye of coach Zinedine Zidane who stated that the youngster has a bright future.
After 18 appearances for Castilla, the Uruguayan is sure to return to United as a better player, and should be competing for a place next season. The right-back is one of the positions United definitely need to strengthen. With Van Gaal having lost faith in Rafael Da Silva the youngster has a golden opportunity to shine next term and possibly become the club’s first choice right back.
Nick Powell
Status: In
The youngster who announced himself to the world with a screamer of a goal against Wigan Athletic in the 2012-2013 season is yet to completely realise his Manchester United dream. After a promising debut season, followed by an equally promising loan spell with Wigan Athletic, 2014-2015 hasn’t quite gone as the youngster would have liked it. However, it isn’t too late for Powell’s still promising career to be salvaged.
The 21-year-old is an excellent attacker, and was United’s best player on the pitch by a mile in the 4-0 thumping at the hands of MK Dons. Powell is at the crossroads of his career right now and can either make it or break it at this level. Hopefully the year 2015-2016 will be a one of re-emergence for him.
