5 Manchester United players who need to leave the club at the soonest

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Does Zlatan Ibrahimovic have a future at Old Trafford?

Jose Mourinho is one of the most successful football managers. From winning two UEFA Champions League titles with FC Porto and Inter Milan, to securing Chelsea's first Premier League title in 50 years. The Portuguese tactician has certainly had his share of success over the years.

Helping Mourinho win trophies is mostly thanks to the players who have had the privilege to play under his nose. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Wesley Sneijder are just a few of the players that have been able to impress the boss.

But there are also the players who do not seem to shine when Mourinho needs them at their best. Since Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal at Manchester United in the summer of 2016, he has been able to use his advantage of bringing in world-class stars such as Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.

Many players who are at the club have done a good job on the pitch, but there are some that he must let go to help improve the squad.

On that note, let's take a look at 5 Manchester United players Jose Mourinho should get rid of from Old Trafford:


#5 Matteo Darmian

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
Matteo Darmian has struggled to break into Manchester United's first team

Matteo Darmian was a Van Gaal signing during his managerial role at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2016. Darmian is known for playing as a right-back but the Italian international is even struggling to get that role in Mourinho's starting line-up.

Ever since Antonio Valencia has made a transition from right winger to right back, he has become one of the best players to have ever played in that position. His strong consistency and the ability to play nearly every minute of the season so far gives Darmian a very small chance of being chosen for the starting 11.

The 28-year-old's time at the Theatre of Dreams could be coming to a disappointing end and if you look through United's previous Premier League results, you don't even see the defender's name on the bench, let alone the starting line-up.

Darmian did play in United's previous FA Cup win at Yeovil Town, but we all know the competition does give second-team players the opportunity to play and get some game time.

#4 Marcos Rojo

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
Should he go or should he stay?

Another signing from Van Gaal. Marcos Rojo was signed by the Dutchman just after Argentina finished runners-up to Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. You can't always win everything but a contract offer at a giant club like Manchester United must come close.

Rojo has had mixed criticism from United fans and the media during his three and a half year stay. He has been known for some nasty challenges against his opponents, showing weaknesses against the likes of Eden Hazard for Chelsea and Sergio Aguero for Manchester City. The Argentine has arguably not performed in the big matches for the Reds.

Some United fans believe that the defender has been given enough time to improve his defending, but has simply failed to.

There have been reports in the last month that Mourinho has had talks with Rojo over a possible new contract to remain as a United player, but should the Argentine decide to stay at the club, one can expect to feel a mixed set of feelings.

#3 Sergio Romero

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Romero deserves to stop being a second-choice keeper

When Manchester United announced the signing of goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the summer of 2015, many assumed the Argentinian would become the club's number one goal stopper due to many months of speculation of David De Gea linked to Real Madrid.

However, of course, De Gea still remains United's no. 1 three years on, and looks to be staying at Old Trafford for a while, leaving Romero sitting in the shadows.

Before Romero signed with United, many will remember the Argentine for making a number of spectacular saves in a penalty shootout against the Netherlands which helped Argentina reach the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

With Romero's talent being wasted on the United bench, there have been rumours of the 30-year-old looking for ways out of the Theatre of Dreams. If these rumours were to be true, could you really blame Romero for searching for other opportunities elsewhere with the potential of being given more game time?

Romero is much better than being a team's no. 2 goalkeeper.

#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Time at Manchester coming to an end?

It may cause a shock to some, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic's days at Manchester United could be limited. It is very hard to believe, but it may just be for the best.

Since Mourinho brought in the Swede on a free transfer - which may go down as one of the best bargains in history - it was a dream come true for United fans. Mourinho had just become United's new manager and just days later a world-class striker in Ibrahimovic joined to help the Red Devils in their bid to win trophies again.

His first season was exceptional, but was anyone expecting less from the legendary footballer? In his debut match he scored the winning goal against Leicester City at Wembley Stadium to claim the winning rights of the Community Shield.

Then, Ibrahimovic found the net twice at Wembley later on in the season, this time against Southampton in the League Cup final. Overall, he found the net 28 times in all competitions and let's not forget he lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in his home country, in the city of Stockholm.

Ibrahimovic's second season with United has been nothing compared to his first. The striker's knee injury, picked up in April 2017, left him out on the sidelines for a fair few months, but in that time, he still signed a contract extension to stay for another 12 months.

But since Ibrahimovic has returned from his injury he has only scored once in his last seven appearances and is currently injured yet again. This week has seen reports claim that United are happy to help Ibrahimovic pick his next club destination with a move to the MLS being the likeliest of choices. However, only time will tell us what lies in store for the super swede.

#1 Daley Blind

Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League
Daley Blind has also been deemed as surplus to requirements at Old Trafford

Daley Blind was a regular starter under van Gaal, as both Dutch internationals bonded well when Van Gaal was managing the Netherlands.

Blind joined United in the same period when Van Gaal landed the Old Trafford job. Once their 2014 World Cup campaign had ended by finishing in third place, they both started fresh in Manchester.

The 27-year-old's main position is at left-back, but has also been seen as a centre-back or, on one or two occasions, as a defensive midfielder.

But, the current season has seen Luke Shaw being regularly called up to the left-back position and the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and summer signing Victor Lindelof, have got the fullback slots covered, leaving Blind in a difficult position.

The only matches Blind has been able to perform in are the UEFA Champions League fixtures, including a penalty goal against Benfica.

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