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What started as an impressive revival under the Norwegian has turned spectacularly leaving the new boss with decisions to make over the futures of many members of his first-team squad.
With United's Champions League hopes done and dusted with the disappointing 1-1 draw with Huddersfield, their pull to bring in players are under threat. United, historically, are one of the greatest football clubs. It is true that United have loads of money to spend but history and money do not always bring in players. The questions of whether star players would join United are surfacing more than ever and the questions are valid too. For example, why would any star player consider United when they have Man City, Liverpool, Spurs?
After that humbling defeat at Everton, Solskjaer said, “I’m going to be successful here and there are players there that won’t be part of that successful team, but there are many of them that do have it.” But which players should he keep, and whose time at Old Trafford is up? Here’s my advice on who to keep and who to sell.
Goalkeepers
David de Gea
De Gea is one of the best Goalkeepers in the world and there's no question about it but as of late, de Gea has been not living up to his standards. He seems concerned and disturbed on the pitch. Whether it's the lucrative contract he demands or the fact that United aren't fighting for titles, he seems very much disturbed. United cannot afford to sell de Gea but if his heart is elsewhere, it's better to respect his feelings and let him go. A world class player has been at a club that has missed out of Champions League 3 times in 6 years. DDG has given too much and if he feels he deserves to play in a better team, he must get it.
Verdict - KEEP
Sergio Romero
Romero would definitely be No. 1 at Tottenham or Wolves or Inter Milan. It would be impossible for United to find a better No. 2 than Romero.
Verdict - KEEP
Defenders
Matteo Darmian
Darmian must have been sold in 2018 but this time, he must go. Whenever Darmian is included in the team sheet, it reminds fans that he's still at the club. He has rarely played this season and every time he played, he has proved why he must be sold.
Verdict - SELL
Diogo Dalot
United's best signing this season, by a mile. Though he's just 20, Dalot has proved he has what it takes to shine at United. His raw energy, accurate passing and attack mindedness make him the best candidate to become the number one RB at United. As a fan, it feels great that we have someone who can finally cross from the right flank. United look all set to buy another RB but whoever they buy, Dalot must be given enough opportunities.
Verdict - KEEP
Victor Lindelof
He had a rocky start to his United career but has undoubtedly won over the fans this season. Over the course of this season, he has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheets. One of the best players this season, United must keep him and buy a rock solid defender to partner him next season. He needs a solid partner to showcase his ball playing skills from the back.
Verdict - KEEP
Eric Bailly
A fan favourite but Eric is somebody who can clearly do more. Eric must have cemented his place this term but injuries and poor form have spoiled his season. He really has the skills and talent to succeed here but he's prone to criticism and injuries. He must be given one more season to prove himself.
Verdict - KEEP
Phil Jones
Jones is highly inconsistent and most of the times, a liability on the pitch. The days the fans waited patiently for Jones to become their next great defender are over. It is better to sell him this summer for a good fee since he signed a contract recently rather than sell him for cheap the next summer.
Verdict - SELL
Chris Smalling
Smalling should not be in the starting XI but he has lots of experience and he's a respected voice in the dressing room. Smalling is, most of the times, less of trouble than Jones. Young defenders like Fosu Mensah and Tuanzebe might enjoy learning from him.
Verdict - KEEP
Marcos Rojo
Rojo needs to go. He's constantly injured and mediocre at best. A liability and doesn't fit into Ole's plans. He's so dangerous that players fear he will injure them in training. Selling him will allow United to buy 2 more central defenders this summer.
Verdict - SELL
Midfielders
Paul Pogba
Should United sell Pogba? This is indeed an $89 million question. Pogba is unplayable in one game and unwatchable in the next three. This is his 3rd full season and he still struggles to connect with teammates on the pitch and play consistently. His body language and his attitude on/off the pitch are disappointing. No one is bigger than the club and if Pogba thinks, he shouldn't be questioned because he's a superstar, SELL him. United don't need superstar midfielders, they need functional midfielders at the moment. Pogba has clearly not become the player United fans hoped he would be and 3 years is enough to validate a player.
Verdict - SELL
Nemanja Matic
Looked like the final piece of United's Jigsaw when he signed last season but has been poor this season. Matic, is not too mobile on the pitch and looks like he's always playing with an injury. Manchester United need to buy a mobile CDM this summer, to play in the first team, but Matic seems destined to stay.
Verdict - KEEP
Ander Herrera
Herrera epitomizes United. Raw, aggressive, highly energetic and passionate. He has all the abilities you need in a United captain. His presence has always been missed whenever he doesn't play. It's a curse that United have collapsed the deal with him. If Marcos Rojo gets an extension, Ander Herrera deserves too. Though he's about to join PSG on a free, United must put out a final contract offer to keep him.
Verdict - KEEP
Fred
Not good at all and has been a very tough first season but Fred deserves another chance. He's a very creative player and has proved his skills at his previous club. He has been good in some matches this season but needs to have one more full pre-season to adjust to the demands of the team. It's early to write him off but we hope he performs well next season.
Verdict - KEEP
Andreas Pereira
Andreas is an exciting product but he simply lacks something in his game. He hasn't lighted Old Trafford on fire but he deserves one more full season and lots of game time. His vision and passing skills are exceptional and his versatility is useful.
Verdict - KEEP
Juan Mata
No real reason to sell him but he has not been playing well. It's clear that United aren't going to play possession based football where Mata excels. It's clear Ole wants to play a high energy attacking football like Liverpool where unfortunately, Mata doesn't stand a chance. As United seek to reinforce their attacking options, it's better to sell Juan and replace him with a classy right winger.
Verdict - SELL
Forwards
Alexis Sánchez
If United decide to keep hold of Alexis this summer, it would be of the most disastrous decisions taken by the club ever. So much was expected when he signed for United in a swap deal with Arsenal but it's a fact that United had been better with Mkhitaryan in the team. Wasteful on the ball, lacks creative spark, injured often and has broken the dressing room harmony with his atrocious wages.
Verdict - SELL
Anthony Martial
A fan favourite but his attitude is utterly poor at times. On his day, he's one of the best dribblers but is not consistent enough and at times, lacks motivation to perform. This is the time when he has to take his opportunities and perform, like Sterling and Sane. He should be given one final chance to prove himself.
Verdict - KEEP
Romelu Lukaku
It's a hard call. If United are going to buy another top striker, Lukaku must be sold. But now that there's no Champions League football next term, it's unlikely that United will sign a top top stiker. Romelu needs to take responsibility and take care of his fitness and ball playing skills. Sometimes he becomes a pain to watch but when he has momentum, nothing can stop him. United must find the right players to feed him in the box.
Verdict - KEEP
