Manchester United were known for decades playing attractive, attacking football which brought incredible success under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, over the past 10 years, the club stalled their metaphorical bus while teams around them steamrolled on.

Under Moyes, the ignition didn’t really start the bus back up after Ferguson turned off the engine with the 4-4 draw against WBA. Van Gaal got into the drivers seat and actually got into 2nd gear, but the passengers (fans and players in this weird analogy) hated the bumpy ride. After the club left Louis and his army at the service station, drinking Costa coffee out of his FA Cup, Mourinho buckled up and parallel parked the bus to near perfection. He found the most crowded car park possible and parked into the tightest free spot he could find, locked Pogba in the tiny bus toilet and ran into the petrol station garage, screaming something about ‘a treble’ and leaving Fellaini to babysit the team.

Then, in March 2019, Ole finally got at the wheel. He cranked up the players’ favourite CD and everybody has seemingly got a smile on their faces as they look to get into 4th gear and 4th spot. However, the bus at this point is in serious need of some repair, and needs some improvements in the form of maybe a Sancho, Grealish and a lick of paint. But most importantly, what the bus needs right now is a good clean, a deep scrub of the carpet and hoover out of some cobwebs.

If you’ve kept up with my weird story time, what I’m saying is that Manchester United need a clear out of players in order to forge ahead with their plans. So, I’ve got their first team squad list and I will go through every player and explain whether they should stay or should they go.

Goalkeepers

David De Gea – STAY Manchester United’s player of the season for 4 consecutive years between 13/14 and 17/18, and the only player to have played every single Premier League minute over the last 2 seasons, missing just 1 league game in the last 3 seasons. David De Gea has had a tough 19/20 campaign which has led to some major criticism and calls for change in United’s no.1 spot. With 3 errors leading to Premier League goals, plus the recent FA Cup semi-final blunders, the calls for De Gea to be moved on increased massively, particularly with a loanee getting praise in the league. However, in my opinion, it is massively naïve and quick to brush aside his achievements in a really poor defence over the past few years. As the club will look to strengthen the back 4 and create more consistency in defence, De Gea will undoubtedly return to his best form and continue breaking records. In 18/19 the club conceded 54 league goals, in 19/20 they conceded just 36, with David reaching 113 clean sheets (club record). Making major changes in the future will be needed, however right now it would be a reactionary move to let the Spaniard go anywhere.

Lee Grant – GO I do understand that clubs need more than just 2 keepers at their club for injury cover, squad depth and homegrown quota’s, which Lee Grant provides. However, for me I think I would be much happier to see a youth prospect being introduced to the fold in this case and let Grant move on to whatever comes next for him. He was signed on a 2-year deal and has made 2 appearances, however with a rumoured £30,000 a week wage for his current role, when the club had issues over pay with the likes of Angel Gomes, its time to move on from this.

Sergio Romero – STAY I would be willing to argue that Romero is one of the Premier Leagues best backup options in goal. A keeper who has major International experience, a cool head, solid performances in the most part and genuinely understands and appreciates the role he plays. Many people would dream of sitting on the bench for Manchester United as a backup goalie, however also there’s the risk of players wanting to get out there and start playing. With Romero, I would genuinely feel okay if he was called up for a spell in the first team, and if the defence is solid then he has the experience to do the job needed. Admittedly, his willingness to sit and be a backup can lose the pressure on the no.1 for their spot, however with Henderson very much putting down the groundwork for the position, having Romero cools the pressure on De Gea for now.

Joel Pereira – LOAN With just 3 appearances for the club and 5 loans in his time at Manchester United, Pereira hasn’t ever really made his mark at the club, and to be honest I don’t know if the club will ever really let him settle at the club. However, at just 24 years of age, I think another loan for him will keep the playing time going, keep his wages off the bill, and then retain his services if required in a few years time as maybe the new backup ‘Romero’ role. Having been out on loan at Hearts in the last season making his most appearances of 25 in total over the year, he is clearly doing a decent job out on loan and if he is willing to keep that going until United maybe call on him as the number 2, then everyone is happy.

Special Mention: Dean Henderson – LOAN I wasn’t sure whether to include Henderson in the actual squad list, however given the talk around him it’s incredibly hard to ignore. For me, and I’m willing to be proven wrong, I think getting the long term contract sorted with him and an actual long term plan in place for the player and club is very smart business for the club. For now and next season, I think Sheffield United is the perfect place for him, guaranteed full playing time, not really at a rival club for next season and he can still push for a place in the England set up. However, after next season there needs to be the plans in place for his takeover from De Gea. This time next year, De Gea will be 30 going on 31, and Henderson will have had 2 full seasons in the Premier League, and so form-permitting I think the 21/22 season will be the time for Henderson to make the step up, but just not yet.

Defenders

Victor Lindelöf – STAY For me, Lindelöf had a very good season and I do trust him in defence. Having played 35 league games this season, he was dribbled past the least of any defensive player in the entire league. With just 32 goals conceded in those 35 games, 122 clearances, 215 recoveries and 135 duels won, his stats are fairly decent reading for a club that has had some defensive frailties in the post-Ferguson eras. He is a must-stay, and I think United need to add one more CB to ensure that the Maguire-Lindelöf partnership can be rotated, rested and kept on their toes.

Eric Bailly – STAY/GO I honestly don’t know where to stand with Bailly. I think he has all the attributes needed to become a first team regular, however injuries, silly mistakes and risky decisions are putting him into the in-between stay/go list for me. I think United will probably struggle to find a better cheap alternative, however if Ole and the club don’t trust his fitness to be ready to play whenever needed across the 50+ game season, then United should be cashing in their chips. He could be a valuable asset for the club and fetch a good wedge in this transfer window, however it’s almost impossible to know if they will live to regret missing out on a quality player in a position they need to strengthen not weaken.

Phil Jones – GO It’s time for the weird relationship that Manchester United fans have with Jones to end. The general feeling is that he has become just a meme who pops up every so often, makes a few errors and then gets injured and disappears. Meanwhile, United fans seem to love to hate him, and the thought of him in the defensive plans long term do not fill me with optimism. With 8 appearances last year, he is a useful player for very much depth in a squad and those 3rd round FA Cup games, however for a club now playing Champions League games, the ‘reserve squad’ games are going to be limited, and the club need to try and move him on ASAP to prevent paying £100,000 a week + until his contract expires in 2023. I understand his injuries could create a stumbling block for a move this summer, however his next game probably should be elsewhere now. We will always have 2011-2013 Phil.

Harry Maguire – STAY United’s other ever-present this season along with De Gea was their £80 million man Harry Maguire. Thrown straight in to his first season in the red shirt, Maguire was handed the captaincy and had a mixed season. At times, he stood strong as the club leader and performed well defensively, while even getting the decisive goal in the FA Cup game against Norwich. However, there were some serious weaknesses exposed towards the back end of the season. After being exposed for his positioning and lack of pace against Spurs and some examples of poor defensive work during zonal-marking at corner kicks, some fans have expressed their desire to see an alternative partner for either him or Lindelöf. For me, I think his defensive attributes and additional attacking threat from corners and playing out from the back make Maguire a guaranteed starter for the next few years at least, and also I am content with him as a captain. Some murmurs have begun about changing the team captain, however for me Maguire in his position can lead from the back and he has the right attitude to be a captain. Admittedly, he lacks the Roy Keane-esque aggression that would kick players into gear, however his assured presence is perhaps more required for modern football teams.

Chris Smalling – GO He seems to love Italy, and Italy seems to love him back. Smalling proved this summer that he has plenty to offer in Europe, and that has led many fans to want to give him another chance at United. Playing 76% of the available minutes in Serie A for Roma, Smalling has really impressed with how he has adapted and performed in new surroundings. With United looking for another CB option, Smalling certainly could still do a job as a backup option, however with how he has personally embraced Italy and Italian culture, plus the aforementioned playing time he is getting, its unlikely that the player will want to return to Manchester to play second fiddle to anyone else. Additionally, it’s easy to get lost in the stats to appreciate the differences in playing styles across the 2 countries, which potentially can skew opinion to thinking he would continue the form back in England. In my opinion, let him go enjoy Italy, he’s served us well and now it’s time to part ways on good terms, take the money and look at alternative options. Arrivederci Chris.

Marcos Rojo – GO Similar to Smalling, and some other players we will come onto discuss, Rojo is a player who is all-but done with United. As a feisty defensive option, the Argentine has had his fair share of scrapes and risky challenges at United, and as the club look to improve defensively it’s become clear that Rojo is not in those plans. I personally liked the fighting spirit he had as a defender, however the fear I had anytime he was called upon to make a challenge in the box means I probably won’t miss him too much as he moves on. Having spent the last few months at Estudiantes, the 30 year old seems to be moving on with his career elsewhere and again as with Smalling it’s time to part ways on positive terms. Also, as a side note, I was genuinely surprised to see that Rojo has never been sent off for United and only has 1 straight red card in his career.

Diogo Dalot – STAY/GO I think Dalot has been incredibly underrated so far in his 2 years at United. I believe that primarily is down to the change in system from Ole compared to the football played by Mourinho. When he was first brought in, United fought off major competition form the likes of Barcelona to bring him in, and the versatility he offers from being able to play as LB, RB, Wing-Back or even midfield if required means he fit into Jose’s defensive based style of football. However, as Ole sticks with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, Dalot has been side-lined thanks to the signing of Wan-Bissaka. For me, I think United need to seriously consider the long-term plan for Dalot, as at just 21 years of age, he has some serious talent and time to develop into whatever system Ole wants. Additionally, the interest of Barcelona still indicates the ability that he possesses. I’ve placed him in the stay/go middle ground as he could stay at the club and offer up fantastic competition with Wan-Bissaka for the RB spot, or alternatively if Ole has no plans for him, it could be the best time to cash in and take £15-20 million to boost the spending budget.

Luke Shaw – STAY In the final few league games without Shaw, United showed just how much they missed him. Another example of a player who outlasted the Mourinho era and came out of it the other side stronger than ever. In the last few games without him, the left side of United’s attack look weakened massively and Rashford often seemed out of the game without Shaw overlapping and providing a supporting role down that side of the pitch. For me, he has to start every game possible, and just cross our fingers that he can avoid another unfortunate injury setback which have plagued his career just as he builds up some momentum on the pitch. With Shaw, there’s no real worry about his starting place, and hopefully with the eagerness of Brandon Williams behind him, he can keep up his solid form of the 19/20 campaign.

Tim Fosu-Mensah – STAY/LOAN At just age 22, it feels like Fosu-Mensah has been around for a long time really. He has had a fantastic football education at both the Ajax and Manchester United youth setups, however after 2 loan spells at Palace and Fulham, he needs to keep himself fit and ready to play and push either the current CB pairing, or Wan-Bissaka for their starting place. His start against Palace in July this year was his first start for United since May 2017, which suggests he shouldn’t really be a regular starter for the coming season, however his ability to play CB or RB should make him the perfect backup option as either maybe a 3rd/4th choice CB or 2nd choice RB. Ultimately, I think he needs to stay a United player as he has too much potential to let it slip, however United need to decide if this season he is fit and ready for when he is needed, or does the Dutch international need perhaps another loan spell this coming season to regain fitness in a lower Premier League club setup, and then will return fitter and more prepared to play up to 20-30 games in a season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – STAY After a £50 million transfer fee and some media hype around the move to United, Wan-Bissaka has begun paying back that fee after a fantastic first campaign for the reds. The 22 year old has been superb in the RB position for the majority of the season, being solid in defence and slowly but surely improving his attacking threat. There are still some weaknesses in his game when compared to the likes of TAA, however despite the attacking frailty at times and slight dip in form towards the end of a fairly gruelling 44 game campaign, he has shown his worth and the stats help back it up. He has topped the league charts for both tackles and blocks, making 129 and 101 respectively. These defensive strengths only seem to be improving for ‘Spider-Wan’ and if he adds a more attacking threat and link-up with either Greenwood or potentially Sancho, then he will only get better.

Axel Tuanzebe – STAY/LOAN Similar to Fosu-Mensah in my opinion, a decision needs to be made for Tuanzebe regarding his future at the club and his fitness/injury concerns. Having made 18 United appearances, and having 2 loan spells at Aston Villa during his career, the 22 year old is quite identical to the issues we looked at for Fosu-Mensah. United are needing the depth in defensive positions and Tuanzebe could again offer up some support at either CB, RB or even CDM, however with him only making 10 appearances in a red shirt this year, Ole would again need to decide on whether to take a chance on him as a backup for this season and offer more game time, or look for another loan deal for this season to build up fitness and experience in a Premier League setting. I wouldn’t really be looking to sell Axel at this point as he has plenty of potential to offer, and a club like Villa may again be tempted to arrange another loan move in some wheeler-dealer move to sweeten the Grealish deal which would be a perfect solution.

Brandon Williams – STAY The 19 year old had a breakthrough season in the 19/20 campaign, and he impressed many people in his 33 appearances across the season. Coming in to replace Shaw during injuries, he took to his role and responsibilities as you would expect from a Manchester United academy prospect. He entered into the team and played with a fierceness and fight to win individual battles, seemingly a willingness to attack and get forwards as modern full-backs must in the English game, and although he did have off spells throughout the season, he looks a good future prospect to fill in and fight with Shaw for the left-back spot, especially considering Shaw’s injury prone history. Another positive to Williams’ game is his ability to play on the left or right, and thus his versatility makes him perfect competition on either side of the defence in either a back 4 or back 5. With Ole occasionally playing a back 5 with Shaw LCB, Williams can get out wide as the LWB adding to the options he provides. Like many others, I can see a good future prospect in Williams if nurtured correctly.

*PART 2 COMING SOON*