Manchester United this season have been accused of not having a squad deep enough to effectively compete in all competitions. In spite of a £300 million spending spree since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired, they retain a lot of deadwood in the side.
Members of the Manchester United first team draw obscene weekly wages. These highly paid players are expected to perform in a manner which justifies their pay and live up to United’s billing as the “biggest club in the world”. Some players have become mere passengers in the team, cashing in checks without really pulling their weight on the football field.
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Realising the need to get rid of such players, Louis van Gaal let go of around 25 players since becoming United manager. The first team still retains a few members who are not of the quality expected at United. The squad needs a clear-out before it can be strengthened with incoming transfers.
Standards have dropped at Manchester United and this is evident by the club’s position in the league and a massive squad overhaul is due. We list five such players who Manchester United should sell this summer:
5) Sergio Romero
Argentines just do not seem to cut it at Manchester United. Sergio Romero, a World Cup finalist with Argentina does not seem to be of United standard. The goalkeeper was signed as a free agent in the 2015 summer transfer window to replace David de Gea, who supposedly was distracted by Real Madrid’s interest in him.
Although Romero did not concede in his first three games for United, he looked shaky throughout. His distribution was wayward and unpredictable; not suitable for a team that wants to play out from the back. In his fourth start in the 2-1 loss to Swansea, he conceded an easy goal at the near post and looked poor.
Romero has looked nervous and been inconsistent whenever he has got the chance to play for the Red Devils. On account of his performances, he is nowhere near the standard of current ’keeper David de Gea.
He fails to provide genuine competition for the goalkeeper’s spot and should be sold to allow a talented youth prospect or another goalkeeper the chance to provide some competition to De Gea.
4) Phil Jones
Phil Jones was the “next big thing” in English football when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Blackburn when he was just 19 years old in a deal believed to be worth £17 million. Sir Alex thought much of his potential and said Jones could go on to be Manchester United’s best player ever.
Jones arguably reached the peak of his career at Old Trafford in his first month at the club when he drew comparisons to club legend Duncan Edwards. Competent as a defensive midfielder and a decent centre-back, the English defender has seen his Manchester United career come to a standstill.
The 24-year-old has not got a consistent run in the side since he signed because of injuries. Jones has suffered 27 different injuries since joining Manchester United and is currently recuperating from a malleolar injury. Given the nickname ‘Mr. Glass’, he has missed 84 games since he signed for Manchester United.
Jones has failed to make a place for himself at Manchester United. The club are in need of world class defenders and the Englishman just cannot seem to keep fit long enough to cement his place in the side.
Chris Smalling is realising his potential at the club. With new talents like Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Alex Tuanzebe emerging, it is time to let go of Phil Jones, who has become something of a forgotten commodity at Manchester United.
3) Ashley Young
Ashley Young was bought in 2011 by Sir Alex Ferguson for £18 million after a hugely impressive season with Aston Villa where he terrorised Premier League defences with his speed and trickery.
Bought as a replacement for United legend Ryan Giggs (as per Sir Alex’s autobiography), he enjoyed an impressive debut season at United, scoring two memorable goals in the 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal.
Since his debut season, however, his form has deteriorated. Referring to his lack of quality, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal described him as “not a Neymar” and that the club would have to deal with that fact.
While Young has helped out at right-back, left-back , central midfield and striker, it more due to the deficiencies in the squad than his versatility. To be competing at the top level at home and abroad, Manchester United need players of a better standard than Ashley Young.
He has not been close to the standard of a Ryan Giggs and should be moved on for the mutual benefit of the club and player.
2) Marcos Rojo
Marcos Rojo was signed from Sporting Lisbon for a reported sum of £16 million in a deal which involved winger Luis Nani going the other way on a loan deal. Chiefly a left-back, Rojo played in the World Cup final for Argentina and was signed due to his versatility in playing a number of positions.
The Argentine defender has infrequent moments of indiscipline and reckless decision making while playing in defence. A prime example of this was the reckless challenge he made on Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis in the Manchester derby, dislocating his shoulder in the process. United were reportedly ready to sell him until he suffered the injury against City.
Rojo often lacks composure with the ball, not fitting in with Louis van Gaal’s philosophy. Susceptible on the turn and easily beaten by pace, he will be third choice at left-back once Luke Shaw returns from injury as Daley Blind is the preferred option as second choice. He should be sold and his place in the squad can be taken over by a more accomplished, world class central defender.
1) Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini was David Moyes’ first signing during his ill-fated tenure as United boss. It is now difficult to believe that Fellaini commanded an outlay of £28.5 million in a deadline day deal.
Although he was a fan favourite on arrival due to his easily identifiable hairdo, he has done little of note and failed to perform at the level required of a Manchester United midfielder.
David Moyes and subsequently Louis van Gaal have used Fellaini in a variety of positions. Having filled in at defensive midfield, a box to box role, attacking midfield and striker, he is a backup at best and not the preferred option in any of those positions.
Fellaini was bought to add much-needed physicality and aggression to a lightweight Manchester United squad. While he has beefed up the squad, the Belgian has provided little in terms of a footballing impact apart from the odd goal. His United record is dubious, with the club having a 55% win rate without him in the squad as compared to 33% with him in the line-up.
Fellaini could have been a useful player with his skillset but has failed to make his mark at United.
