Manchester United have found themselves under a bit of pressure during the first month of 2015 which was added to following their disappointing goalless draw away to Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round last week.
After a strong Christmas period, a home defeat to Southampton appears to have disrupted some momentum in the Red Devils’ bid to make a late challenge for the title and a top four finish is perhaps the best they can hope for this season.
Many would have been hoping for more, considering the way in which United have spent over the past 12 months.
The likes of Juan Mata, Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo have all arrived for a combined fee of almost £200 million, yet the rebuilding job is not yet considered finished.
January has been quieter than expected so the summer may well be another time of transition at Old Trafford with as many outgoings as incomings expected.
Here we have identified five players we think could be on their way out of the club when the season is finished.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 Man United stars who won’t be lining up at Old Trafford next term.
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Anderson
You could be forgiven for forgetting all about Anderson but the Brazilian is remarkably still on the books at United.
He can be found casually picking up his wages at Old Trafford having not kicked a ball since early September. van Gaal was keen to offload him in the summer but couldn’t find a permanent taker.
That may well prove a challenge next summer as well, given Anderson has done little to nothing since signing for the club from Porto for a massive £19 million all the way back in 2007.
Darren Fletcher
The Scotland captain has fought back bravely from a serious illness but has struggled to make the same impact he one did in the Manchester United midfield.
He has been linked with a move away this month with Everton, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa all said to be interested.
van Gaal will look to add a top class defensive midfielder, either in the remaining days of this window or in the summer, in a move that would see Fletcher fall further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Chris Smalling
Centre back has been a problem position for United this season and it is no secret that van Gaal is looking to strengthen as soon as possible.
Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have hardly done much to suggest they are the long-term answer but the latter is probably the man in the most danger.
He was publicly criticised by van Gaal for his sending off in the Manchester derby in November and Arsenal have previously been linked with a £10 million move. He is the one you would feel most likely to be moved on if and when reinforcements are brought in.
David De Gea
The Spaniard has been outstanding for United once again this season but reports linking him with a big money move to Real Madrid simply won’t go away.
De Gea is said to be a £50 million target for the reigning European champions who see him as the ideal long-term replacement for Iker Casillas.
United are desperate to hold onto one of their prized assets but the capture of Victor Valdes on a free transfer this month suggests that van Gaal may already be planning for life without the 23-year-old next season.
Radamel Falcao
There was huge excitement when United confirmed the loan signing of Radamel Falcao on summer transfer deadline day but the Colombian’s move to Old Trafford has simply not worked out so far.
Falcao has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s physcial demands with fitness proving a major issue. There has been public criticism by van Gaal whilst his tally of three goals is not what anybody expected.
United are unlikely to give Monaco the £40 million they are asking for in order to make the deal permanent in the summer unless there is a drastic improvement between now and the end of the season.
