Manchester United’s embarrassing defeat on Thursday at the hands of Sevilla dumped them out of the Europa League - and left Erik ten Hag with big decisions to ponder.
Indeed, the clear-out required to build this once great and feared United side back to its illustrious levels have been highlighted again following several poor recent results this season.
Back in April 2019, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promised that there would be change to his squad after a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton. And then, when in his consultancy role last season, Ralf Rangnick promised the fans a “change for the better” with Ten Hag in the dugout.
Ultimately Rangnick went back on his promise, but Ten Hag has already shown his ruthless nature in his first season with the club - overseeing the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in particular.
This summer though he has it all to do again with 15 players facing the exits following their most recent slip-up. It's worth remembering that not all can exit in one window, but Mirror Football takes a look at the potential exodus at Old Trafford...
Goalkeepers
United have had the same No.1 since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, but if Ten Hag wants to optimise build-up play out from the back then the flaws of his current options were on clear display on Thursday night.
David de Gea: A torrid display on Thursday was topped off with a spectacular late error. Ten Hag publicly laid clear his support of his goalkeeper post-match, but he undoubtedly wants to progress to playing out from the back and United fans will be petrified when the ball is at the Spaniards feet. SELL
Dean Henderson: Currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, Henderson has previously spoken about his struggles at United. A departure works well for all parties. SELL
Tom Heaton: The experienced shot-stopper featured twice this season on United’s journey to Carabao Cup champions. The 37-year-old has been involved with the Red Devils on and off his whole career and can help to assert the club’s philosophy on any new signings. KEEP
Defenders
Defensive frailties in the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were on display for the world to see as United went out of the Europa League with a whimper on Thursday. Naturally losing your two World Cup winning centre-backs will weaken you, but it was one replacement in particular who made another error leading to a goal.
Harry Maguire : The £80million man has received plenty of criticism since arriving from Leicester, and his error on Thursday again highlighted his ineptitude and tendencies to make mistakes. United have said they will listen to offers for their captain this window. SELL
Lisandro Martinez: The Argentine is the future of the United defence, and has arguably been the best in his position in the league this season. KEEP
Raphael Varane: Along with other additions has transformed the United back-line, who have been significantly worse in his recent absence. KEEP
Victor Lindelof: The Sweden international has had ample chance to prove himself in Manchester and it has not worked for him. SELL
Phil Jones: Jones will be out of contract in the summer. Ten Hag has stated he had no intention of bringing the centre-back into the fold after the Varane and Martinez injuries. RELEASE
Eric Bailly: Bailly, currently on loan at Marseille, is amongst those who Ten Hag has instructed United to sell this summer. SELL
Luke Shaw : Shaw has had his injury woes, with a lengthy list of setbacks since arriving from Southampton. Still only 27, Shaw will be able to share the left-back workload with Tyrell Malacia, and can also rotate in at centre-back if needed. KEEP
Tyrell Malacia: Ten Hag got his man and the 23-year-old has shown why. It would take a lot for Malacia to depart. KEEP
Brandon Williams: Endured a hit-and-miss spell on loan at Norwich last season but has barely featured this campaign. Is expected to depart this summer, even if it's another temporary stint away from Old Trafford. SELL/LOAN
Alex Telles: Another out-of-favour left-back, Telles has been deemed as surplus to requirements by Ten Hag and is expected to be shown the exit door this summer. SELL
Diogo Dalot: The Portuguese showed some good form in the season’s early stages, but his development was stunted with a February injury he has struggled to bounce back from. United are quite thin at right-back which may work in the 24-year-old's favour. KEEP
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Wan-Bissaka has been United’s most improved player since the turn of the year, but with either him or Dalot set to make space for the impending arrival of a new right-back, it may be time to cash in on the Englishman. SELL
Midfielders
Another area discussed as a hotbed for change, United’s midfield has been bolstered by the arrival of Casemiro last summer. There are still some amongst their ranks whom work as symbols of times gone by, with the future now the focus.
Casemiro: Serial winner Casemiro has single-handedly changed the entire identity of United’s success, and guarantees the club to have the right mentality going forward. KEEP
Scott McTominay: Injured on Thursday, McTominay has been linked with a move to Newcastle United. It may be time for the Scot to move on if the money is right. SELL
Christian Eriksen: Eriksen has impressed across the midfield this season and will remain in Ten Hag's plans for next season. KEEP
Marcel Sabitzer: Three goals since arriving on loan from Bayern Munich in January will mean Sabitzer goes back to Bavaria not being a failure, but it is unlikely he will join on a permanent basis. RELEASE AFTER LOAN EXPIRES
Fred: Enjoying a transformation that typifies what Ten Hag’s United side have been about, the Brazilian has started to get fans on his side after a tough start to his Premier League life. KEEP
Donny van de Beek: The Dutch international was part of Ten Hag’s Ajax success, but has barely featured this season, due to injuries. He will struggle to fight for a starting role when he comes back. SELL
Zidane Iqbal: The talented young midfielder needs game time and his shown his ability, a top flight loan move would work in everyone favour next season. LOAN
Bruno Fernandes : A key player for United who has shown his versatility this season. KEEP
Forwards
The least of United’s issues lie in their attackers, where they are well stocked with talent - but they are looking thin in the middle following Anthony Martial’s injury.
Marcus Rashford : Mr. Manchester United. The Red Devils will do everything to keep their star man at Old Trafford, with contract talks ongoing. KEEP
Jadon Sancho: A difficult start to life in Manchester has seen him criticised, with Jamie Carragher continuing his scrutiny on Thursday as he tweeted: "Antony has done more in six months than Sancho has in two years. Yet Antony gets plenty of criticism & Sancho gets very little". United will struggle to recoup the £73m they invested last summer. KEEP
Anthony Elanga: The Swede continues to struggle for minutes and may benefit from game time elsewhere. LOAN
Alejandro Garnacho: The young Argentinian has burst onto this scene this season and will undoubtedly be part of ten Hag’s coming plans. KEEP
Antony: The flagship signing of last summer, Antony has not been without his critics in his debut season. Eight goals and two assists is a healthy return for his first season in England, and is favoured by the head coach. KEEP
Facundo Pellistri: Minutes have been few and far between for the promising Paraguayan, he will hope to build on his 10 appearances next season. KEEP
Anthony Martial: The perennial sick note limped off injured again on Thursday and simply can not be relied upon in a team hoping to challenge for the league next season. SELL
Wout Weghorst : Unlikely to have his loan made permanent when it ends this summer. RELEASE AFTER LOAN EXPIRES
