By Thomas Clarke
2019 will present a massive summer for Manchester United, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likely to get the job on a full-time basis. He will become the fourth full-time manager in the six fateful years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
The upcoming transfer window is imperative to the foundations that the club want to lay for the season ahead, but with an already large squad, the question of outgoing players is as intriguing as the players that should be incoming. Let’s take a look at who is looking likely to be headed out the exit door at Old Trafford this summer?
Alexis Sanchez
Much was expected from the Chilean when it was announced that he would be signing for United from Arsenal. An over-the-top video posted on social media of Sanchez playing the piano became the then-most retweeted post from the official United Twitter page.
However, due to a lack of fitness and persistent injuries, the club’s current number seven has endured a difficult time at Old Trafford. It couldn’t have been predicted just how much he would struggle; he has only scored four goals in 41 appearances.
With the re-emergence of Anthony Martial on the left-hand side of United’s forward line and the talk of Jadon Sancho joining the club in the summer, it seems there would be no place for Sanchez in the team. The club will undoubtedly need to take a massive hit on the fee they paid, but the sale of Sanchez would free up the £300,000 per week wages that Sanchez is on.
Marcos Rojo
United’s pursuit for a new defender last summer looks set to resume once the window reopens, and that could spell the end for Rojo. Mourinho was not the biggest fan of the Argentine and even took the number five shirt off him in preparation for a new defender arriving.
Ultimately that never happened, but it hasn’t paved the way for Rojo’s return to the line up, under neither Mourinho or Solskjaer.
In his career at Old Trafford, he has made 110 appearances, but only three have come this season. The emergence of Victor Lindelof and return to form of Luke Shaw hasn’t helped Rojo’s chances, and with United likely needing to sell two central defenders to free up space for an incoming one, the Argentinean will be surplus to requirements.
Fans will be sad to see Rojo leave as he does wear his heart on his sleeve and was prominent in the Europa League win in 2017 and FA Cup win in 2016. Defender Matteo Darmian almost certainly falls into the same category as Rojo and will follow the Argentine and Antonio Valencia out of Old Trafford.
Juan Mata
The Spaniard is one of the game’s most beloved characters, and United fans will be sad to see the little magician go. However, this summer will likely see the end of his Old Trafford career, due to lack of playing time as Jesse Lingard and likely summer recruits will go above him in the pecking order.
The World Cup winner has played for United on 213 occasions and scored 44 goals; with one of those goals particularly etched into the minds of United fans.
Any player that scores the winner at Anfield for United is remembered with fond memories, but to score a bicycle kick from 18 yards out is unique. Mata’s love for the club has never been in question, and he understands the fundamentals that come with being a Manchester United player; something not all foreign players coming to the club really do.
The Spanish international was vital in United’s 2016 FA Cup win, and he’s hoping that he can exit the Red Devils with yet another success in the competition.
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