Manchester United humiliating Europa League exit underlined the major summer clear-out facing Erik ten Hag.
As many as 12 senior players are set to be axed this summer as Ten Hag gets ruthless with the second phase of his United rebuild. Hapless United skipper, Harry Maguire, David de Gea and injury prone striker Anthony Martial are still set to be offloaded this summer.
Ten Hag and United Football Directios Johm Murtough had already decided which players needed to be moved on, before Thursday’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Sevilla.
Maguire and Martial were on the outgoings list aleardy. However, De Gea’s calamitous display in Spain has raised serious doubts about the wisdom of extending his contract.
De Gea and Maguire were culpable for Sevilla’s opener, with the former also responsible for the third goal, after racing from his line and miscontrolling the ball.
Ten Hag wants a goalkeeper capable of playing the ball out from the back with his feet. This is a skill De Gea is simply not equipped to do, as he proved in his error-strewn display in Spain.
De Gea is out of contract this summer and United are currently in talks with him about a new deal – but only if he is willing to take a major reduction on his current £375,000-a-week salary.
Ten Hag is aware of how Manchester City and Liverpool were transformed by the acquisitions of Ederson and Alisson, and knows he needs to make a similar signing if United are to challenge for the title again.
Maguire’s shambolic display confirmed to Ten Hag that the 30-year-old defender must be moved on, while Martial’s latest injury concern has convinced the United boss that he also cannot be relied upon.
Midfield duo Fred and Scott McTominay are also under threat. Hence, Ten Hag is looking to clear out the dead wood within the squad he inherited when he took over last summer.
United are also set to jettison several fringe players, including Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams, as well as those currently out on loan, like Eric Bailly and Alex Telles.
Loans signings Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer will also return to their respective parent clubs, Burnley and Bayern Munich respectively at the end of the season.
Ten Hag had made a striker his priority this summer, with Tottenham and England star Harry Kane on his shortlist, along with Napoli and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen.