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Without a doubt, Manchester United have one of the biggest rebuilding processes in this year’s summer transfer market. The team is currently in need of reinforcements in almost all positions; if they want to challenge for the Premier League title.
Most fans, want the see wholesale changes to the entire squad, but that is unlikely to happen. Most supporters feel that the current squad doesn't play with the pride that was commonly associated with wearing the red of Manchester United during the days of Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson’s. Despite that, they are some players that the club should retain and build their team around.
These players have shown dedication and commitment to the cause and are extremely reliable in the team
Here is a look at who these players are
#6 David De Gea
After last year’s world cup where he was the first choice goalkeeper of the Spanish national team, David De Gea hasn’t looked the same. Maybe the horror of his poor showing still haunts him but the 28-year-old has not been the best and has made a few mistakes.
Though as the saying goes “form is temporary, but class is permanent”. De Gea’s form might have dwindled this season, but there is no doubting his talents. The former Atletico Madrid goal-keeper is one of the best in the world. One should remember that he won United's player of the year four times. If this team is to get its glory days back, they will need a keeper of David De Gea’s stature as their number one for years to come.
The first piece of the United rebuilding business should start with the board tying the world-class keeper to a new contract by paying him the amount he wants and surely deserves.
#5 Chris Smalling
Manchester United is in the lookout for a world-class central defender to boost their ranks. The obvious target is Kalidou Koulibaly, but there are many others that have been linked to the club. What’s interesting about them is that most of them don’t have Premier League experience to back up their obvious talent.
Despite perception, Chris Smalling has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season and undoubtedly their best central defender. He simply can’t be dropped at the moment unless he picks up an injury.
Even if they do recruit -- and a player outside the Premier League looks more likely, they’ll need someone to help them settle into the league. Smalling is the central defender that the team looks to build around and at 29 years, he’s at the peak of his career. He should comfortably give United another three-four years of service.
And as one of the long-serving players in this squad, the manager may also look at his as the next club captain.
#4 Luke Shaw
One player that has gotten his mojo back since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival has to be Luke Shaw. Under Jose Mourinho, Shaw was often a subject of criticism from the Portuguese manager and never looked like a settled member of the team. But that has changed since Ole took over.
Shaw currently looks like the fullback; United thought they were getting when they splashed out huge money to get from Southampton in 2014. He’s getting up and down the field comfortably, defending with great vigour and has even added a good number of assists to his arsenal.
When the United team sheet is read out before a game, you expect to see Shaw there unless he’s suspended or out with an injury.
Shaw has become quite dependable and assured for Manchester United, if he continues that way, United will not need to invest in the position for quite a long time.
#3 Ander Herrera
Manchester United’s midfield is one of the areas that seemed to have settled since Ole took over, but currently, it is a position; where the future of players looks uncertain. According to reports, Pogba is a target of Real Madrid, who want to bring him on and make their new poster boy. Ander Herrera’s contract situation has not been resolved and there are strong rumors of a deal being already done with Paris Saint Germain. That only leaves Nemanja Matic as the only one whose future is safe.
Herrera is one player that has been the unseen hero in United rise since the appointment of Ole. He gives the team energy by canceling out opposition’s danger men and instigating attacks for his team. Now, the Manchester United board isn’t looking at matching his salary demands, but they should.
Herrera will represent a cool head in the centre of the park for the team and even if Pogba does leave, he’ll help his replacement settle in easily. Also, he’s one of the senior players in the side and one that fans see as the future captain of the club.
#2 Marcus Rashford
This has surely been Marcus Rashford’s season. Many will look at him in terms of the goals he has scored but that is quite unfair to him. He has scored 10 goals already this season which is quite a decent number, considering he has not played as the central striker all the time
Still young, at only 21 years old, he has a lot of time ahead of him to build on his potential and confidence in front of goal. The fact that has dislodged a 75 million striker from the starting eleven speaks volumes about his quality.
Last season, the young Mancunian seemed to have faded and some even thought he was to going to be sent on loan but he came back firing this season. Even before Jose Mourinho was fired, he had already taken over from Lukaku as the club’s first choice striker. His rise can’t be completely attributed to Ole's arrival but the Norwegian has certainly helped him improve
If he can continue with his metric rise, then he has the capability to end up breaking Wayne Rooney’s record as United’s all-time top scorer.
#1 Jesse Lingard
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s system has worked quite well since he came in at Manchester United and that has been largely due to how he has used Jesse Lingard.
In the current United side, there’s no player that can offer United the kind of pace and energy that Lingard can. His selfless running and movements off the ball have made him an invaluable asset for the team. The new United manager has really benefited from having such a versatile player in his squad.
His presence makes tweaking the formation in between games, without having to change personnel quite easy for the manager. A new look United side will need to have Jesse Lingard at the center of it. He is also an academy graduate, so he has some attachment with the fan base.
The United number 14 is one of those players whose importance fans won't always see, but the managers and teammates always do.
