Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have both left Manchester United wondering what could have been with a tad more fortune.
The centre-backs were brilliant performers at their best but, unfortunately, their bodies let them down and succumbed to injury problems too often, something which curtailed the progress either could have made at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson thought Jones could become 'United's best-ever player', while Tuanzebe's flawless display in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain when he was just 22 years old is certain to live long in fans' memories. Remarkably on the back of a 10-month spell on the sidelines, Tuanzebe was outstanding that night, keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet and it's a genuine shame that injuries have denied him the chance to reach his potential.
Jones is now aged 31 and Tuanzebe aged 25. The latter will have no problem finding a new club, albeit at a lower level, and it was not a surprise to learn of the club's intention to release both of the defenders upon the expiry of their deals.
ALSO READ: David de Gea increasingly likely to leave Man United
Although the players who were set to be released were revealed by this publication weeks ago, the official 'retained list' was published on Friday afternoon and as expected, there were no shocks on the formal document.
The departures of Jones and Tuanzebe were confirmed, along with the exits of young players Ethan Galbraith, Di'Shon Bernard, Eric Hanbury, Manni Norkett and Charlie Wellens, meaning a total of seven players had been let go.
Some of those players have been at the club since they were children and United take particular pride in the aftercare they provide their academy products with upon release, which is not a given at many Premier League sides.
The departing young players will be 'supported in securing contracts' and they'll benefit from a 'bespoke aftercare programme'. The academy has always been the fabric of the club and it's reassuring that core principles remain in 2023.
Once the dust has settled on those exits, attention will turn to facilitating even more departures from the squad, with multiple players still under contract who are not in the plans of Erik ten Hag set to be made available in the transfer market.
Such departures will also be necessary to increase the summer budget. The club are obviously operating within financial fair play restrictions and it's important that capital is raised to balance the books, and to make room on the wage bill.
At the minimum, there are seven players who should be sold and that could mean a total of around 14 players, including those released, leaving. The deadwood must be cleared and there are a few players who need a new challenge.
Dean Henderson is likely to command one of the biggest fees from that list, as it's thought a bid north of £25million would be considered enough for his signature, with Nottingham Forest understood to be interested in re-signing him permanently.
Henderson has the credentials to fight for the No.1 role at Old Trafford, especially with David de Gea looking increasingly likely to have played his last game, but there's a feeling he might have burnt bridges with his comments last summer.
Henderson said: "To sit there and waste 12 months, it is criminal really, at my age, I was fuming. I didn't really want the manager to come in and see me in training because I knew that he'd probably want to keep me."
If there's no return from that, cashing in on Henderson is logical and there are many more, like Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek, Fred, Facundo Pellistri, Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga who could follow him out.
Maguire's days at the club have been numbered for some time now and the weight of the shirt has proved too heavy for him. Bailly is set to return from his loan with Marseille, but if any club is willing to make a permanent offer for him, it will be accepted.
Telles is a defender who can't defend and the same applies to him. He's been on loan with Sevilla this season and Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are valued in Ten Hag's squad, so an exit from United for the Brazilian is the best option.
Williams has played for the Under-21s more than the first-team and perhaps a Championship club would take a chance on him. Van de Beek's time in Manchester has been a disaster and it's doubtful even Ten Hag can revive his career.
There is interest in Fred from Fulham and he's 30 years old, so it also makes sense to cash in on him. Pellistri has played under 300 minutes - that speaks for itself - and the two Anthonys should also be moved on.
The squad needs to be overhauled and the release of the aforementioned seven players represents a good start.
READ NEXT:
