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Manchester United could offload as many as 11 players this summer to fund a rebuild of their squad. One of these players is reportedly club captain Bruno Fernandes, who continues to be linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
United hope to overhaul their midfield alongside searching for reinforcements in the wing-back areas. The Sun has reported that Fernandes, alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Harry Maguire, Altay Bayindir, Joshua Zirkzee, and Tyrell Malacia could all depart the club to help finance new arrivals.
The Red Devils’ pursuit of a new midfielder has been widely reported. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Angelo Stiller, Joao Gomes and Conor Gallagher are some of the known targets.
United already invested heavily in attacking reinforcements in this summer. The club spent over £216m to sign Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko in a new look attacking front.
The next phase of the rebuild is believed to be in midfield.
United prepared for summer clearout
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, and Manuel Ugarte are the midfielders most linked with a departure from United. Casemiro has had what many consider to be a stop-start United career, coming under scrutiny by some sections of supporters. The same can be said for Ugarte, who has now fallen out of favour completely.
Boss Ruben Amorim has been unimpressed with Ugarte’s performances in training and has called on the player to lift his game. Kobbie Mainoo broke into the first team two seasons ago but has since struggled for first-team minutes.
The youngster is still seen as a future star but has requested a loan away for more game time. He is unlikely to get his wish in January – with Amorim stating the player must stay and fight for his place – but a summer departure is possible if United land some of their top targets.
Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Jadon Sancho are all currently away from the club on loan and look increasingly unlikely to return to Old Trafford. Rashford and Hojlund are enjoying successful seasons with Barcelona and Napoli respectively, and look set to make their moves permanent.
While Sancho has struggled for minutes at Aston Villa, his less-than-stellar relationship with Amorim means another departure is likely. Harry Maguire is nearing the final six months of his contract, and while negotiations are ongoing, United are prepared to search for alternatives.
United have been linked to Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, who is also soon to be a free agent. Altay Bayindir struggled to make the goalkeeper position his own, which resulted in United signing Senne Lammens.
Joshua Zirkzee and Tyrell Malacia have fallen down the pecking order and are expected to be sold to recoup funds. Zirkzee started in United’s last game against Everton in the absence of Benjamin Sesko, but has struggled for minutes for most of his time at the club.
He is open to departure in January to get first-team minutes ahead of next summer’s World Cup. Malacia is the last remaining member of the “bomb squad” at United, having been exiled from the first team by Ruben Amorim.
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