Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for out-of-contract Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo.placeholder image
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for out-of-contract Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo. | Getty Images
It is going to be a busy summer for Man Utd and these are the players Ruben Amorim should sell, and give a second chance to.
Ruben Amorim and his backroom staff have a big summer ahead of them as they look to get Manchester United back on track next season.
In theory, the club shouldn’t just be signing players for Amorim, instead, they should be signing players who are versatile and who can fit a number of systems, who also have the quality to make an immediate impact and handle the burden of expectation.
Three players who Man Utd should sell this summer
Jadon Sancho: Due to the misadventure of previous years, the budget will still be tight this summer and the hardest part could well be moving players out. Here are those who should be for the chop and those who should be given a second chance to prove that they have what it takes.
It isn’t a surprise to see Jadon Sancho’s name at the top of the exit list. With just 12 goals and six assists in 83 games for United, the 25-year old has failed to live up to expectations, his transfer fee and his significant salary.
However, it is unfair with the benefit of hindsight to criticise the original transfer, after all, he accumulated 120 goal contributions in 158 for Borussia Dortmund before returning to England. There was nothing to suggest that the fall off in form was going to happen.
Although not back to his best, and the 10 assists and five goals in 42 appearances not being enough to tempt Chelsea, it should tempt someone to take him off United’s wage bill even if it means that a contribution has to be made on another loan deal.
Casemiro: One signing that was questioned was that of Casemiro, the Brazil legend with the impressive trophy cabinet but who had too many miles on the clock before making the move from the sunnier climbs of Madrid to Manchester.
Amorim needs dynamic and energetic midfielders similar to those who dominated the Champions League for Paris Saint Germain and those days are long gone for a player who was once as good as any in his position. As with Sancho, United can’t move on until his wages are removed from the weekly bill.
Antony: He maybe doesn’t cost as much per week as Sancho and Casemiro, however, Amorim needs every player in his squad to be singing off the same song sheet. One player who clearly isn’t is Antony, as his social media interactions and behaviour since signing on loan for Real Betis in January suggests.
With 10 goals and five assists plus a solid spell in La Liga, Antony has interest, just don’t expect to see anywhere near the £80m that was paid to Ajax to sign him.
Three players who Man Utd should give another chance to
Rasmus Hojlund: Amorim doesn’t just need quality, he needs character and he needs individuals with the right attitude. Rasmus Hojlund might have been written off in terms of being compared to some of the great centre-forwards of the past and because of his £72m transfer fee but his endeavour alone should see him kept as a member of the squad.
Without the burden of being the main man and being able to rotate with other more prolific strikers, his qualities could shine through and his goal scoring form might return. He is also young enough and eager enough to redeem himself and turn a corner.
Leny Yoro: After pre-season, it looked like Leny Yoro was going to stroll through games in the famous red shirt only for injury to immediately halt his progress. The 19-year old started 32% of the Premier League games last season and will be looking to increase this number and improve his consistency too.
What could help him is a more stable defence alongside him and a more reliable No.1 behind him. A more mobile midfield and a bit of protection wouldn’t go a miss either.
Manuel Ugarte: Manuel Ugarte left Paris Saint Germain to sign for United for almost £50m and he might almost be wishing that he didn’t. A season that rarely got above 6/10 in terms of individual performances saw him do not very much wrong, however, he didn’t really make much of an impact either.
It can’t be easy with so much change in front and behind him though and, like Yoro, he should be given another chance with better players. He is young enough to adapt and has a full season behind him to reflect on.
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