5 Manchester United stars who could leave in the January Transfer window

Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial
Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial

#3 Jesse Lingard

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Jesse Lingard proved his worth in a short but spectacular loan spell for West Ham United in the second half of the 2020-21 season. He played a starring role as the Hammers finished sixth in the Premier League table and qualified for the UEFA Europa League

The 28-year-old scored nine goals and provided four assists in 16 Premier League appearances for West Ham last term. Understandably, they wanted to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer. However, Solskjaer did not want to let him leave and Lingard has partly repaid the manager's faith in him so far this season.

Even though he has largely been used as a substitute, he has made an impact. He has two goals and an assist to his name from six appearances and he started only one of those games. He does have a place in the United squad.

However, the issue with Lingard is that his current contract is set to expire next summer. If he doesn't sign a new deal before January, Manchester United will be ready to sell him and Newcastle United and West Ham United are waiting to swoop in.

#2 Anthony Martial

Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League

There was a feeling at the start of the season that Anthony Martial had officially embarked on last chance lane. He has performed well too sporadically and he seems to be suffering from a severe lack of conviction, which is in stark contrast to his early days at Old Trafford.

Martial had an extremely underwhelming campaign last term. He scored just seven goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season. Fortunately for Manchester United, they were able to sign Edinson Cavani in the dying embers of the 2020 summer transfer window.

If not for the Uruguayan, Manchester United would have struggled to find goals as Martial was nowhere near his best. He hasn't helped his case this season either, scoring just a single goal in seven appearances so far.

With Marcus Rashford set to return from injury, Martial will fall further down the pecking order. The Red Devils are rich in the attacking department and they will be ready to let the Frenchman leave in January. As per reports, Newcastle United are already in talks to sign the 25-year-old in the upcoming winter transfer window.

#1 Donny van de Beek

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Well, it is a transfer that has simply not worked out. Donny van de Beek has a lot of quality but it would be difficult for any player to displace the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes from the United starting XI. He has started just four league games for Manchester United since arriving in the summer of 2020.

Van de Beek is not a holding midfielder and therefore, he is not a threat to either Fred or Scott McTominay. It is a near-impossible situation as at 24-years-old, the Dutchman shouldn't be losing out on any more years that could go into his development.

He was named in the 30-man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d'Or and it's quite unfortunate that his big move to Old Trafford hasn't worked out to anyone's liking. But Van de Beek ought to try and revive his career elsewhere, preferably in a team that needs an attacking midfielder of his qualities.

He is excellent with his movement and at exploiting little pockets of space and thereby opening up space for his teammates. Manchester United need to sign a defensive midfielder who can pass the ball through the lines. The solution is straightforward.

Sell Donny van de Beek and use that money to find a better alternative for Fred.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith