Manchester United's much-needed squad clearout won't be easy
Manchester United players before the Bournemouth game
Lisandro Martinez is one of the players out of contract next summer(Image: Martin Rickett/Press Association)
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Deaths, taxes and Manchester United needing a clearout have become three of life's certainties. United's decision-makers have refreshingly acknowledged that the man in the dugout is not the club's biggest problem, having unexpectedly decided to give Michael Carrick more time to try and turn things around.
There has, hopefully, been a realisation that those at the top of the club have made too many mistakes. And then there are the players, who have nowhere to hide after some woeful performances, in which not just quality but also effort and commitment have been lacking.
But it's easier to change a manager than a squad, and United have tried and failed to sell some big names. Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist debated the issue on talkSPORT this week, with Stelling asking: "Who signs Zirkzee? Who signs Mazraoui? Who signs Dorgu? Who signs Ugarte? Who signs [brings back] Marcus Rashford?"
Moving those players on will be easier said than done, unless United are prepared to take a financial hit. Here's how they are valued according to Transfermarkt.
Marcus Rashford (£29.4m)
Returned to the club largely because no one wanted to take on his whopping wages. A brilliant player when in the mood, but how often has that been said?
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Patrick Dorgu (£29.4m)
Unlike some players on this list, he hasn't been a terrible signing but hasn't kicked on much as he should. The club may struggle to get back what they paid for him.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu hasn't kicked on at United(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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Joshua Zirkzee (£16.8m)
United have tried and failed to find any takers after reportedly setting a £30m price tag. That needs to come down.
Joshua Zirkzee
United have struggled to get rid of Joshua Zirkzee(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Manuel Ugarte: £16.8m
Would have gone in the summer had he not got injured at the World Cup.
Manuel Ugarte.
Manuel Ugarte's exit was derailed by an injury(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Noussair Mazraoui (£15.1m)
Like Dorgu, he hasn't been a complete disaster and wasn't particularly expensive (£15m from Bayern Munich), but United arguably need better.
Combined valuations: £107.5m
Free agents
United have more control over the future of three out-of-contract players, with Stelling adding: "Shaw, Maguire and Martinez are all out of contract. I assume they will leave the club."
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Manchester United were shell-shocked by Hull City
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are coming to the end of their contracts(Image: (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images) )
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Luke Shaw
How many managers has the full-back seen off now? His current contract, which expires in the summer, will almost certainly be his last.
Harry Maguire
Has a clause for an extra year beyond this season but it might be in everyone's best interests for United not to trigger it.
Lisandro Martinez
Judging by his recent rant against the club, the Argentine wants out. No one should stand in his way at the end of the season.