5 players who need to leave Manchester United to progress

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

A club like Manchester United will always have a big squad and some of the players in the squad will rarely get their chances to play unless there are injuries and a cramped schedule. These footballers will certainly make the starting eleven in most of the European sides but at Manchester United, they are warming the bench.

Because of frequent changes in the managerial role at United, some of the players may not adapt to the style of play by the new managers. They obviously deserve to have more game time and leaving Manchester United will give them a platform to resurrect their careers.

Let's take a closer look at those 5 names:


#5 Luke Shaw

The former Southampton man traded clubs in a big money deal during the summer of 2014 when Louis van Gaal took charge at Manchester United. He was destined for greatness at United but things did not go according to his plan for him.

Shaw got some decent game time in his first season at United where he showed glimpses of his potential. But a broken leg killed all the momentum, allowing him to play only 5 league games in 2015/16.

When Mourinho took charge, he was always aware of Shaw's potential and expected the fullback to have a long-term future at the club. He wanted Shaw to put in extra hours at the training ground and get back into shape. Shaw got minutes late in the season but was never a regular.

Beginning of this season, Mourinho has told him that he still has work to do before winning a regular place in the team. Mourinho always demands a high work rate from his fullbacks and was not impressed with Shaw. Shaw made just a couple of cameo appearance for United this season and is expected to leave when the transfer window reopens.

He is still a player that most top managers will be happy to play and a move away from United is what he needs to get back to his best.

#4 Matteo Darmian

Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League

Ever since he moved to Manchester United from Torino in 2015, Matteo Darmian hasn't managed to hold a regular place in the lineup.

He has to compete with the likes of Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Daley Blind for a place in the fullback position. Valencia on the right is irreplaceable at the moment and there are 2 other quality players on the right.

At age 27, he is at the peak of his career and warming the bench more often than not will certainly not help his cause for a place in the Italy squad for the World Cup in Russia next year.

He is a typical Italian full-back who excelled in defensive skills. He is good in breaking opponents wing play and providing cover for the centre-backs. But the demands of modern English football where the managers expect their fullbacks to play a dual role did not complement Darmian's strength.

There is no denying the fact that he is a brilliant fullback and many top teams in Italy are vying for his signature including Juventus and Inter. Moving out of United will give him a chance to fulfil his potential.

#3 Jesse Lingard

Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League

Once regarded one of Manchester United’s brightest talents, Jesse Lingard was tipped for greatness at Old Trafford. Age 21, he made his United debut in August 2014 under Louis van Gaal. Knee injury threatened to end his United career as he missed a significant period of the season, before going out on loan to Derby.

His hard work paid off as Louis van Gaal gave him a second chance at Old Trafford. He went on to make 19 starts for United in the league during 2015/16 season. He had a good if not great 2016/17 under Jose Mourinho as he made 18 league starts.

He was rewarded with a £5-million-a-year deal at Old Trafford for his performances. At 24, he is reaching the peak of his career but with Rashford and Martial preferred by Mourinho, Lingard will have to play a role from the bench this season.

His pace, work rate, and commitment make him a great winger but he needs to sort out his future soon or else sit in the shadows at Old Trafford for the rest of his career.

#2 Joel Pereira

Manchester United v Burton Albion - Carabao Cup Third Round
Manchester United v Burton Albion - Carabao Cup Third Round

A product of Manchester United youth academy, Joel Pereira is regarded as one of the best Portuguese goalkeepers of the next generation. For a 21-year-old, he is tall, commanding and a matured player.

He committed his future to Manchester United as he signed a new four-year deal in 2017. Manchester United have David De Gea, one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he is only 26. He has another 10 years of football left in him and if he stays at Manchester United, Joel Pereira will never get a chance to be Manchester United no.1 in the near future.

After an impressive stint at the Portuguese club Belenenses, some of the Primeira Liga giants like Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting are interested in him. He has made great progress as a goalkeeper and with 8 years of invaluable experience at Manchester United, he has to take the next big step in his career.

#1 Axel Tuanzebe

Swansea City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Swansea City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Fourth Round

He was Manchester United ever since he was an 8-year-old boy. Tuanzebe won the 'Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year' award in 2015. Even at 19, many in Manchester United believe he is matured as a player.

He has made excellent progress for a teenager at Manchester United. His reading of the game is so sharp, he rarely has to make sliding tackles. His pace and athleticism make his a good defender.

In his favourite position of centre-back, Tuanzebe has to compete with Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, and Marcos Rojo. He can also play as a right-back or a holding midfielder but United is well stocked in all these positions.

He has made 4 appearances for United so far but everyone knows he is much better than that. One cannot fully blame Mourinho because he is under pressure to deliver titles and cannot risk with his starting eleven.

He is selected for the England u21 squad and Mourinho needs to outline a plan for him sooner rather than later or risk facing the story of Paul Pogba again.

Quick Links