The Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are preparing for a couple of names to leave via the Old Trafford exit door this winter window.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has long been linked with a move away in recent months since his latest dip in form after a blistering start to the campaign, but with the Armenian’s possible departure, surely it will also mark the end for a few fringe players that haven’t stepped up to the mark this season.

Indeed, Jose Mourinho has a reputation for selling players, however big they are if they don’t align themselves with his beliefs and hard work for the team.

With that in mind, Mkhitaryan may be the lastest player to receive the cold shoulder, but our regulars think that with Mourinho looking to add more trophies to his and United’s cabinet, the axe could be swung a little harsher than normal this January window.

Our landlord takes a look at two other potential outgoings this January…

Luke Shaw

Many of our punters feel that Shaw is an easy one to pick but if the England man doesn’t continue his recent good form or suffers another injury, surely the writing will be on the wall for the left-back.

Many of the United fans in the pub want Shaw to succeed but a host of bad luck and not being able to find his groove has all added to his United nightmare in recent seasons. A good second half of the season should cement his place in the team but if a left back comes in, in January our punters think it’s the end of the road for Shaw.

Daley Blind

For Blind, it may not be a case of stepping up or moving out. He kind of floats around positions like a utility man, left-back, centre-back or on the rare occasion defensive midfield, and as his contract is set to run out in the summer of 2019 after completing a one-year extension recently, Blind shows nothing to Mourinho that isn’t replaceable.

A useful player to have, much like Rojo, but his lack of pace plays a big part in team selection.