The Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for an improvement from their side during the second half of the season.

The opening endeavours of the campaign promised so much for United after they recorded victory in 6 of their opening 7 league matches, but their consistency has since depleted and they now find themselves out of the title race and relatively disillusioned with their manager’s style of football. If City’s dominance has taught us anything this year it’s that the teams in the chasing pack will need to add an abundance of quality players to their ranks if they wish to compete on the same level as The Citizens next season.

However, reports emerging from Sheffield’s regional newspaper The Star earlier today concern a potential departure from Manchester United rather than an arrival.

According to the reports, Untied’s 22-year-old striker James Wilson has become a target for Sheffield United, as Chris Wilder is hoping to bring two new faces to Bramall Lane before their local-derby with Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.

Wilson’s career has stagnated this season following his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury which ruled him out for the majority of last season whilst he was on loan at Derby County.

Since his recovery, Wilson has failed to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils and he has been forced to spend his season playing for United’s U23 side.

Taking these factors into consideration, it seems as if Wilson’s career at United will shortly be coming to an end, but his departure is likely to be one of many from Old Trafford in the year of 2018.

For all of Mourinho’s qualities, it is clear that his style can often prove detrimental to the development of attacking-minded players, and there are certainly examples to prove this point within the current squad.

With that being said, here are two players who should force a move away from Manchester United this month…

Marcus Rashford

At just 20-years-of-age Marcus Rashford is one of the hottest prospects in world football and everybody involved with the club would be deeply saddened by his departure.

Rashford’s return of 9 goals and 8 assists from 33 appearances in all-competitions is mightily impressive for a player of his age and experience, but yet plenty of the United supporters have turned on their academy product in recent weeks.

He has been heavily criticised for his poor decision making and apparent greediness in the final-third despite the fact that he is still maturing as a player.

Moreover, Rashford has predominantly been deployed as a left-winger by Mourinho this season, rather than in his natural position at centre-forward.

Considering the problems Rashford is facing at the club, he should seek a move away from United this month to fulfil his potential in an environment where the supporters will be patient, and the manager will trust him as a centre-forward week in, week out.

Henrik Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan’s fall from grace at Manchester United is a genuine footballing mystery, and the fact his decline is showing no sign of ending suggests it’s time for the Armenian to leave Manchester for good.

The former Dortmund wizard began the season in electric form with 5 assists from his opening 3 league fixtures, but since then he has struggled to make Mourinho’s starting eleven.

Regardless of whether he moves on loan or permanently, Mkhitaryan must do everything he can to force a move through this month as it is clear that he is wasting his potential at the club.