In the wake of critical evaluations of two defenders and two forwards, Erik ten Hag has been urged to ruthlessly fire four senior Man Utd stars in order to “restore standards.”
Man Utd have undeniably improved this season in terms of their football performance. The League Cup victory ended a trophyless run that had lasted since 2017, and Ten Hag’s more strict management style has given his players a greater sense of responsibility.
The odds are in United’s favour to make the Champions League for the upcoming season, and the FA Cup could still be added to the trophy collection.
Ten Hag cannot yet take a victory lap, though, as evidenced by their Europa League defeat to the dangerous Sevilla.
A significant summer transfer window is approaching, and they plan to focus their recruitment efforts on a top-tier center-forward. Additionally, there is a need for additions at right-back and central midfield.
However, the Telegraph is among those who have reported that Ten Hag must increase his transfer budget through player sales in order to sign the calibre of player United desires.
Many Manchester United players have been rumoured to be leaving, and the Manchester Evening News has named four senior players who, in their opinion, must make way in order to “restore standards.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho are the names of the group’s four players on offence and defence, respectively.
Samuel Luckhurst, the article’s author, gave a harsh evaluation of the Man Utd quartet that was acquired for a total of £261 million (Wan-Bissaka – £50m, Maguire – £80m, Sancho – £73m, and Martial – £58m).
Wan-Bissaka lacks personality, and Maguire is a nightmare
First of all, Luckhurst acknowledged that Ten Hag is looking for an offensive upgrade at right-back over the underwhelming Wan-Bissaka.
The Dutchman prefers Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen, and according to Sport1, a deal can be had for about £44 million. Frimpong was also described as being “keen” to join United.
If Ten Hag gets his hands on Frimpong, Luckhurst insisted, Wan-Bissaka will be the one to go. He continued by saying Wan-Bissaka “does not have the character to succeed at United and he never has.”
Club captain Maguire was the next target on the MEN’s hit list. The seasoned center-half “had a good first season, a decent second, a nightmare third and a worse fourth,” according to Luckhurst.
Only two games had passed when Ten Hag decided to bench Maguire in favour of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Maguire has been put up for sale this summer, according to a previous report from The Mail Plus, and United are prepared to recover just half of the £80 million they paid Leicester in 2019.
Sancho is hindering attacks, and Martial needs to be set free.
The next target of harsh criticism was Jadon Sancho, who Luckhurst claimed was not deserving of a third chance after two unsuccessful campaigns.
Once a new striker is signed, Marcus Rashford will resume playing on the left wing as usual. Sancho will therefore only be able to play a bench role at best going forward.
Sancho’s lack of offensive fervor—15 goals in 69 appearances—was also questioned. According to the article, Sancho ‘decelerates attacks’ and has faltered in the pressure cooker environment that playing for Manchester United brings.
After going more than two years without playing the full 90 minutes for Manchester United in a Premier League game, Martial was the last to come under scrutiny.
Even when healthy, Martial frequently flatters to deceive, and injuries have started to ruin his career. Martial, according to Luckhurst, ‘can’t cut it,’ to put it simply.
