Manchester United will look to sell eight first-team squad players this summer including club captain Harry Maguire and striker Anthony Martial.
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are both leaving as free agents at the end of their respective contracts but that signals only the start of the exits this summer. The Red Devils will listen to offers for midfield duo Fred and Scott McTominay, while they are also in negotiations to sell Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest.
United are also looking for the permanent exits of Alex Telles and Eric Bailly, who are both returning from loan spells at Sevilla and Marseille respectively, while the club are listening to offers for Brandon Williams – with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia ahead of him in the left-back slot.
The anticipated exit of goalkeeper Henderson confirms that the plan of his former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not come to fruition. He had been earmarked as a successor to David de Gea by the Norwegian, but is now likely to depart Old Trafford permanently after a season-long loan deal at Forest.
"This season has proved a great experience for him," Solskjaer said in 2020 after Henderson impressed on loan at Sheffield United. "He's done himself some favours with his performances, and proved he will be England's no 1 and Man Utd's no 1 at some point.
"It's not my job to keep the players happy or in the team or out of it. Part of it is their responsibility of performing and doing well. Dean has made some great choices over the years and developed fantastically - and still is."
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On Tuesday, Sky Sports reported United’s exit plan does not only include Henderson. Defensive quartet Telles, Bailly, Williams and Maguire are also likely to leave United, with midfield duo Fred and McTominay alongside striker Martial also available for moves.
Solskjaer’s plan for Henderson will not come to fruition, while the Norwegian was also behind the signing of Telles, Williams' promotion to the first team and affording such prominence to Fred and McTominay.
It is a signal of Erik ten Hag’s ruthlessness at the club and his demand to raise transfer funds and clear part of the wage bill to reinvest this summer. The signings of two forwards, a new goalkeeper and attacking midfielder are viewed as priority positions, while investment is also being considered in the right-back, central defence and holding midfield positions.
