Manchester United opted to sell youngster Ben Pearson to Preston North End today in a transfer worth around £100,000 and the 21-year-old isn’t likely to be the last player to leave the club.
United have spent in the region of £250 million since the arrival of Louis van Gaal two years ago and it is inevitable that the club will opt to sell some players during the January transfer window.
Whilst the United supporting punters here in the Transfer Tavern desperately want their club to strengthen their squad during the window, many of their fans appreciate that sales are likely to come first.
One Red Devils fan is ordering his happy hour pint and shares a realistic approach as he says the club should get rid of any deadwood in the squad before any more players arrive at Old Trafford.
Here we take a look at five other players who could follow Pearson in heading through the door labeled ‘exit’ over the coming months.
Hit Van Gaal below to see FIVE players he could offload this month!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Victor Valdes
The ex-Barcelona stopper will want to forget his time with Manchester United as soon as his memory will allow him too, after two troubled years with the club.
The keeper has won just about all there is to win in world football but in two seasons with United, he has featured just twice in the first-team, after a well publicised spat with boss Louis van Gaal.
Several teams in La Liga are reportedly keen to take Valdes back to his home nation, and a move in January is fully expected to happen by both parties.
Andreas Pereira
The Belgian-born youngster is frustrated with a lack of first-team action with Manchester United and could opt for a move out of Old Trafford as he seeks to avoid his career stagnating in the club’s Under-21 squad.
The 20-year-old has played four times for the first team and hasn’t disappointed anyone when he has played, but with the club blessed with several central midfield options, regular game time has proved difficult.
One punter in the Transfer Tavern thinks the youngster could do a job for a club in the bottom half of the Premier League and hopes he stays in English football.
United would rather sell the Brazilian Under-20 international, but a loan move is also a possibility.
Marouane Fellaini
The former Everton man is hardly a popular figure with the Manchester United faithful, particularly here in the Transfer Tavern, with one fan stating that he would happily drive the Belgian to his next club.
Fellaini just doesn’t offer enough to the team at United for his manager to warrant keeping him on the books.
He has better options than Fellaini in midfield, whilst the fact he has been utilised as a striker in recent matches, is bizarre beyond belief.
Serie A outfit AC Milan are reportedly keen on the player and a bid of £15 million could be enough to tempt United into a sale.
Nick Powell
Things just haven’t really worked out for Powell since his arrival at Manchester United in 2012. Tipped as one of the next big prospects to emerge from the Football League, Powell joined from Crewe Alexandra with a big future seemingly ahead of him.
Several failed loan spells and just a handful of first team appearances later and the 21-year-old is desperate to revive a flailing career.
The Championship is a likely destination for the player and any club that does opt to take a chance on Powell, is likely to want to strike a temporary deal first, to run the the rule over Powell’s desire to get back to his best.
A Nottingham Forest fan here in the Transfer Tavern is mortified at the thought of Powell rocking up at the City Ground and believes a player with his attitude and laid-back nature is not someone who can achieve success in the second tier.
Paddy McNair
The Northern Irish defender can play in a variety of roles across the back four, but now is the time for the up-and-coming talent to be playing more frequent football.
The 20-year-old has played for the Manchester United first-team 22 times since making his debut last season but a more regular run of games can only aid his development.
McNair will be hoping to be selected for the European Championships later in the year and to guarantee his place on the plane, regular football is a must.
A solid performer when called upon, McNair would be a shrews acquisition for a Championship club and many Premier League teams could also do a lot worse.
One Newcastle United supporting punter in the Tavern is queuing for another pint and says he would be delighted if the Magpies pursued McNair and thinks he would add a youthful look to the club’s back four.
