How Manchester United's squad looks after retained…

How Manchester United's squad looks after retained list confirms seven exits

Manchester United issued their retained list on Friday lunchtime, confirming that they had said farewell to seven players.

As was confirmed several weeks ago, centre-back Phil Jones was the headline departure, being joined in exiting Old Trafford by fellow centre-back Axel Tuanzebe. Neither player made a single first-team appearance for the Reds during the 2022/23 campaign and will now be hoping for happier times ahead.

Fellow defender Di'Shon Bernard has also officially left the club, ending his six-year spell at Old Trafford, as has Ethan Galbraith. The latter has spent the last two seasons out on loan, spending the 2022/23 campaign at nearby Salford City.

Meanwhile, youngsters Eric Hanbury, Charlie Wellens and Manni Norkett have left the Reds' academy. Wellens spent a portion of this season on loan at Oldham Athletic, but will now pursue a new chapter elsewhere.

Confirmation of the aforementioned seven departures is likely to mark the beginning a stream of exits at Old Trafford this summer. Manager Erik ten Hag wants the club to be ruthless when it comes to a clearout and several members of the first-team squad could be sold to raise funds and pave the way for new additions.

It is also possible that several youngsters within United's ranks could be sent out on loan to secure some regular first-team football in 2023/24. Meanwhile, goalkeeper David de Gea is also looking increasingly likely to leave on a free transfer.

With that said, here is a quick glance at the current landscape of United's first-team squad as well as players who could be considered to be on the periphery of it ahead of the club's summer recruitment drive getting under way.

Goalkeepers:

David de Gea - *Contract offer pending

Dean Henderson

Tom Heaton

Nathan Bishop

Matej Kovar

Defenders:

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Diogo Dalot

Ethan Laird

Raphael Varane

Lisandro Martinez