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Manchester United are currently 6th in the Premier League, a staggering 16 points off the top spot, and yet we've somehow come to expect this from the Red Devils in recent years, despite their grand history.
It all seemed to come crashing down after Sir Alex Ferguson left his post as manager at the end of the 2012/13 campaign. His successors - David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho - have all failed miserably in their attempts to claw back some dignity for a club who once had it all.
Whilst many fingers tend to be pointed at the managers for the poor results, we also need to examine the squad as a whole. There are many deficiencies in the team, especially in defence, that need to be addressed.
A team as wealthy as United shouldn't have mediocre players in the line-up anymore; they need superstars to succeed, like Liverpool and Manchester City have shown this season.
So, without any further adieu, let's take a look at five players Jose Mourinho should look to offload in January.
#5 Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo's role in the Manchester United set-up has been changed several times in recent years; when he first joined in the 2014/2015 season, he was a star centre-back for the Red Devils, and was expected by many to become a solid first team option for the next few years. However, things didn't quite pan out that way and Rojo now finds himself warming the bench or playing for the reserve side.
The Argentinian international has only played twice so far this season, with one of those appearances being a late substitution, and last season he played just nine times. It's clear to everybody now that Rojo is merely a backup player, but with his chances coming from few and far between, perhaps it's time to move him on to make way for somebody else?
There's no doubt that Rojo is earning a lot of money per week at Old Trafford, so when his pay is compared to the amount of time he actually plays, surely it's no longer beneficial for him to stick around.
Where might Marcos Rojo go?
The Sun have reported that Manchester United are prepared to sell Marcos Rojo in January, due to the reasons outlined above. Where he might go remains a mystery, but a Premier League side closer to the middle of the table would be a good fit for the Argentine, and probably the most likely destination.
#4 Phil Jones
Phil Jones has been under the magnifying glass for a long time now, with fans and critics sharing a dislike for his style of play. Whilst his enthusiasm and commitment to the club can't be ignored, it's his poor performances that let him down, and Mourinho seems to have finally accepted it.
Jones featured fairly prominently in last season's campaign, making 23 appearances for the Red Devils. But this season he's only featured a total of three times - a reflection of how far he's dropped down the pecking order. With defenders like Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling in superb form right now, Jones is unlikely to get a look-in anytime soon.
Where might Phil Jones go?
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are interested in signing the 26-year-old in January, provided that other deals are completed first. However, the likelihood of this type of move going through is small; Jones would instead suit a club like Everton or West Ham, if he wanted play time.
#3 Ashley Young
Ashley Young is in his final season at Manchester United and a contract renewal seems unlikely given how sparsely he plays. By moving him on in January, United would get back about £2m realistically, instead of nothing by letting him see out his contract until the summer.
Having said that, Young has played a far more active role in this season's campaign than many were expecting; his 11 appearances in the Premier League have mostly come around thanks to injuries to the typical starting eleven squad, so he's had to fill in here and there.
In that respect, Young is a valuable utility player, but there's definitely a lot better options out there for a team like United, and given that Young is almost 34 years old, perhaps it's time to invest in the youth.
Where might Ashley Young go?
ESPN have linked Ashley Young with Roma, who would be a welcome addition to their side, as they try and compete for UEFA Champions League football next season. Alternatively, Young could slot into any top-tier Championship side, with Aston Villa being a possible option.
#2 Matteo Darmian
Another player who struggles to get game time at Man United is Matteo Darmian. The right-back has been used sparingly for a couple of seasons now, and was on the verge of a transfer away from Old Trafford in the summer, but nothing materialised.
He has made just three appearances for the Red Devils in this campaign, and looks unlikely to get much more. Antonio Valencia is the first choice for the position, leaving Darmian as a mere backup option. With the winter transfer window fast approaching, however, this could be the end of Darmian's time at United, as he looks to try and revive his stagnant career elsewhere.
Where might Matteo Darmian go?
The Daily Star reported that Darmian has admitted he misses Serie A. Teams like Inter Milan, Roma, Napoli and Juventus are all interested in securing the star's signature this winter, so where he'll end up is truly anyone's guess at this stage.
#1 Andreas Pereira
Pereira has already showcased what he's capable of during his time out on loan with Valencia, but he fails to replicate that great form at Old Trafford. The fact of the matter is simply that the Brazilian struggles to handle the pace of the Premier League matches, so when he does get a rare opportunity to prove himself, he falters and ultimately disappoints.
I imagine it's as frustrating for Jose Mourinho as it is for him, who obviously has tried to integrate the promising young star into the squad, without any such luck. United must be wary of making the same mistake they did with Pogba, though, where they let the Frenchman go too early, and bought him back several years later for a ridiculous amount.
Whilst his four appearances this season is an improvement on before, it's still a lot less than someone of his age and talent is deserving of.
Where might Andreas Pereira go?
Chelsea and Arsenal are very interested in the youngster, according to The Sun, and are prepared to bid against each other to secure his signature in January. A fee of around £10m is believed to be the starting price.
