Which Players Must Manchester United Sell As Erik Ten Hag Plans Squad Clearout?

While Manchester United have undeniably achieved progress under Erik Ten Hag this season, they have suffered a series of damaging defeats that have made clear just how much further they have to go to reach the top of English and European soccer again. Another one of those defeats came against Sevilla on Thursday.

United had been leading 2-0 in the Europa League quarter-final tie, but ultimately capitulated as they lost 3-0 (5-2 on aggregate) at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The final scoreline was actually kind on Ten Hag’s team. At no point did Manchester United look like imposing themselves on the match. They were outplayed and outfought.

This summer will be a pivotal one for Ten Hag. Certain players have absorbed the Dutchman’s ideas and methods, but others continue to struggle. That was evident against Sevilla, when Manchester United’s squad was depleted by injuries to key players like Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. Bruno Fernandes was also missing through suspension.

Several of United’s squad simply aren’t good, or suitable, enough. Reports are already swirling that Ten Hag plans on moving on a good number of players at the end of the season. So who exactly are the players weighing Manchester United down and preventing them from taking flight under their new manager?

Harry Maguire once again demonstrated his shortcomings on Thursday. Signed for £80m, the England international is frequently ponderous on the ball and is prone to mistakes. Maguire also vibrates nervousness around United’s defence as a whole – David de Gea is more certain of himself when Maguire is out of the team.

Victor Lindelof is another centre back who hasn’t always thrived as a Manchester United player. At right back, there are also concerns over Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although the former has improved a lot over the course of the season. Martinez, Varane and Luke Shaw are the only defenders whose futures appear secure right now.

Fred and Scott McTominay have their uses, but both midfielders have a ceiling lower than Ten Hag needs from his players in the centre of the pitch. Then in attack, the likes of Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho will surely have their future questioned – the former has struggled for fitness while the latter is something of a misfit.

Of course, United must find buyers for these under-performing players if they are to truly reshape their squad this summer, and that might prove difficult given the high wages many of them are on. But never before has it been clearer where the fat must be trimmed than it is now. The calamity in Sevilla highlighted that.