Fans have been basking in the honeymoon buzz of the three new arrivals at Manchester United.
After weeks of seeming inactivity, Erik ten Hag has brought in a promising trio packed with talent as the club tries to become top-four regulars once again. But for all the excitement around the new acquisitions, a number of current players will need to be offloaded this summer.
Since the exits of the five out-of-contract players this summer, only Andreas Pereira has left the club permanently while Dean Henderson has gone out on loan. Meanwhile, United need to bring in a back-up for David de Gea, a right-back, a striker and, most importantly, a central midfielder or two.
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Ten Hag does not have an unlimited amount of money this window, and he will have to show the door to a few contracted personnel who are surplus to requirements in order to facilitate moves for targets.
Brandon Williams
The left-back is effectively up for sale and has been pushed further down the pecking order with the arrival of Tyrell Malacia. He has not travelled with United on their pre-season tour due to injury but by all accounts his time at Old Trafford is likely up.
United may not get a mind-blowing fee for the 21-year-old but Williams ' young age counts in their favour in terms of price tag.
Alex Telles
Malacia’s signing also spells worry for Telles. He has been played at centre-half by Ten Hag during pre-season and is clearly behind the new arrival and first choice Luke Shaw in the manager’s list.
The defender may spy a move away and United should not stand in his way. After all, if truly needed, they have under-23s player of the season Alvaro Fernandez - who may have a recall clause in any loan move he secures this summer.
Phil Jones
The defender was given a handful of unexpected outings under Ralf Rangnick last term but it doesn’t look as though a fully-fledged comeback is on the cards under Ten Hag. Jones has been left at home for the pre-season tour to allow him to work on a bespoke training programme, with a number of Premier League clubs interested in his signature.
Any kind of fee United can recoup is better than allowing him to leave for nothing next summer.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
United are open to offers for the right-back, who hasn’t hit the heights many expected him to since his move from Crystal Palace in 2019. In fact the club have been offering him to potential suitors.
He’s been taken on the pre-season tour but Diogo Dalot seems to be Ten Hag’s go-to with the Dutchman also searching for a new right-back. Like Williams, the 24-year-old is young enough for United to claim a decent fee for this exit, which looks inevitable if a new full-back is recruited.
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