Manchester United are planning to offload at least 10 players in the next two transfer windows, according to reports.
The Red Devils moved on a host of stars including David de Gea, Fred, Dean Henderson and Anthony Elanga in the summer, and a further clearout is expected in 2024.
Erik ten Hag’s men have lost nine of their opening 18 matches in 2023-24, and the Dutchman looks set to reshape his squad over the next 12 months, starting by getting rid of 10 or more players, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
Ten Hag is keen to bring in a new centre back, but may need to show a defender the exit door first.
Jonny Evans is out of contract next year and may struggle to earn himself a new deal as he prepares to turn 36 in January.
Raphael Varane could also be at risk of leaving Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order this season.
Ten Hag has preferred Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire over the Frenchman in recent weeks. Lindelof’s deal is up in 2024, but there is an option to extend his contract by an extra 12 months, while Maguire is contracted until 2025.
At full back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also entering the final six months of his contract, with negotiations ongoing over a possible extension.
The MEN report states more turnover is expected in midfield than was seen in the summer window.
Fred was the only senior midfielder to leave, with United hanging onto Scott McTominay despite interest from West Ham, before Sofyan Amrabat joined on loan from Fiorentina.
United have the option to buy Amrabat at the end of the season, but the Moroccan midfielder is yet to establish himself as a regular starter and may need to do more to convince fans he is a long-term solution in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are both into their thirties and their influence has waned this season, which may tempt United to cash in on the experienced pair.
A decision needs to be made on Anthony Martial’s future as well, with the forward out of contract next June.
Martial is into his ninth season at the club, but has fallen out of favour this term following the summer arrival of Rasmus Hojlund.
He has been limited to cameo appearances off the bench in the opening months of the campaign, and has not scored a Premier League goal since May.
United have netted just 13 goals in their 12 top flight fixtures this term – fewer than 19th-placed Everton – suggesting that Ten Hag will need to reinforce his front line sooner rather than later.
This could mean that Martial is finally let go for good, having previously gone out on loan to Sevilla last year.
Back-up goalkeeper Tom Heaton and midfielder Hannibal Mejbri are the other players out of contract in 2024.
United have the option to trigger a 12-month extension to keep Hannibal, but there is no such clause in Heaton’s contract.
