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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Manchester United fans could say goodbye to three players vs Fulham

Regular matchday attendees at Old Trafford could bid farewell to some Manchester United players on what might be their final appearances in the famous red shirt at the Theatre of Dreams.

United host Fulham this afternoon in a 4:30pm kick-off as the Premier League's final round of action begins. Overall, this season has undoubtedly been a successful one for Erik ten Hag in his first season at Old Trafford.

Much of his summer transfer business from around 12 months ago has been successful too. Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have been clear great signings, and though the jury may be out to an extent with the likes of Antony and Tyrell Malacia, the duo have both shown glimpses of what they are capable of to give optimism for the future.

READ MORE: Ten Hag gives Martinez injury update at Manchester United

United face a big summer transfer window as they seek to reduce a gap which currently stands at 17 points to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. The business done in the next couple of months will have a big say in that becoming a reality.

Securing a new centre-forward is a clear priority for Ten Hag this summer. Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Napoli's Victor Osimhen are top of the list in terms of targets.

Chelsea's Mason Mount and Declan Rice of West Ham United are also admired. It is clear that midfield is another area of the squad that Ten Hag wants to reinforce.

To bring in players of this calibre will demand serious funding and money which United are unlikely to have ready to go for this summer's transfer kitty. Members of the current squad who are under contract beyond this summer will no doubt have to be sold to bring funds in.

This is something United have been poor at in recent years, certainly in comparison to other Premier League rivals. Chelsea have for long used the approach of having countless players on their books but having assets ready to sell, while City are not afraid to move on players who may well have done incredibly well in the past, but their time has simply come to an end.

City demonstrated this knack last summer when Raheem Sterling was sold to Chelsea and more than £70m was acquired from Arsenal for Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko. It is an approach United must learn from.

In terms of those in the squad who might well play their final games at Old Trafford this afternoon, defender Harry Maguire is certainly one of those candidates. Ten Hag made the bold decision to drop the defender and club captain later this season, but there is no question time has proven it to be the right call.

Martinez and Raphael Varane have emerged as the club's first choice partnership at the back, with Victor Lindelof also showing decent form at times and Luke Shaw proving he can play on the left of a central defensive pairing. Maguire has fallen down the pecking order and appears unlikely to see a route back anytime soon, so a sale to bring in funds might be best for all parties.

With United clearly seeking central midfield reinforcements too, Scott McTominay is another player who could be on his way out. The Academy product has been a good player for United and a useful squad option to have.

But at the age of 26 now and not being in many people's first choice central midfield trio for United, it might be the time for him to head somewhere he would be more guaranteed of a regular starting place. Funds could once again be brought in this way.

And the prospect of even Anthony Martial moving on to pastures new ought not to be ruled out. He has featured regularly under Ten Hag, but if Kane or Osimhen arrives over the summer, it is difficult to see Martial starting much ahead of either of them.

Martial's United contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, though there is the option of another 12 months. Realistically though, this summer is the chance to get the greatest value for the player Louis van Gaal brought to United in 2015 and, should United bring in the striking reinforcements they want and particularly Marcus Rashford pens a new deal, then Martial ought to be on the move this summer.

There is also a host of other United players who won't feature today who probably should be moved on to pastures new for a fee. Eric Bailly is surplus to requirements in the heart of defence, while Alex Telles and Brandon Williams are surplus.

A decision could also be made on Donny van de Beek's future. The 25-year-old, who has scored just two goals in 60 appearances for United, would have hoped to have rekindled his Reds career under former Ajax boss Ten Hag this season. However, prior to his season-ending injury, he had played just ten times, meaning his long-term future at Old Trafford remains in doubt and if an acceptable offer comes in for him this summer, it should be considered.

United face a key summer in the transfer market. But what is crucial is they make sure getting the right fees for those they move on and it could prove to be just as important for those they bring in and indeed, it could even help fund it.

Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup Final print supplement by clicking here.

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