SUMMARY
- Manchester United's underwhelming performances cause speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag's future.
- Several players are rumored to be departing from Manchester United at the end of the season.
Manchester United’s topsy-turvy season has been dealt multiple blows throughout this season. From injuries to inconsistency on the pitch, things haven’t gone in favor of the English club. And even though the Dutch manager Erik ten Hag is still trying to go strong with his tactics, speculations have been on the air that the INEOS group is currently looking for his possible replacement following the conclusion of the season.
Manchester United is currently sitting sixth on the Premier League table with 44 points from 26 games. On top of that, the Red Devils also failed to make it through the next round of the UEFA Champions League this season. The chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League also look dim for them, as they are still six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
🚨 Manchester United’s transfer budget for this summer under Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be severely squeezed by FFP restrictions, especially if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.
United have spent £555M over the last three summer windows and raised hardly any money… pic.twitter.com/baD0GmKpcF
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 20, 2024
And if one goes by the performance diary that keeps track of all the players, a few names might pop up who have failed to make an impact for the team over the past two seasons. However, other than those, there are also a few big names that might be shown the exit doors by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his board after the season.
Antony
The Brazilian winger, who signed for Manchester United during the summer of last season for a fee of $103 million plus $5 million in add-ons, has been by far the most disappointing signing for the club in recent years. The former Ajax winger featured in 44 games last season for the Red Devils and has scored eight goals and provided three assists for the club.
However, his performance this season has given enough reason for the club to consider pressing the exit button. After playing 26 games this season, the 24-year-old has only a goal and an assist to his name. And it looks like we have lost the faith of Erik ten Hag, who dropped him from the initial starting XI for some time now.
According to reports, United is open to considering offers for Antony, but they have to settle for much less than they paid to sign him from Ajax two summers ago. It is believed that Antony’s market value has dropped significantly, as the Brazilian is currently valued at $40 million.
Raphael Varane
Although the signing didn’t completely go to waste, Raphael Varane’s fitness struggles have made him one of several players who could be leaving Old Trafford at the end of this season. Prone to injuries, the French defender has missed well over 40 games for the Red Devils since joining them from Real Madrid in 2021.
🚨 Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab are all targeting Raphael Varane this summer. [@JacobsBen] #mufc pic.twitter.com/fe8c9mOoYG
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) February 23, 2024
However, another reason that might lead to the exit of the defender has to do with his high wages. His £340,000-a-week contract at the club doesn’t go on par with his playing duration. Reports indicate that the internal management has decided not to trigger an extension in Varane’s contract, which will end at the end of the season.
Casemiro
This might actually come as a surprise, but Manchester United are currently looking forward to offloading Casemiro in the following summer. The Brazilian’s impact at the heart of the midfield this season has been far from what it was at the time of last season. It’s safe to say that the presence of the five-time UCL winner hasn’t helped Erik ten Hag this season.
🚨 NEW: There’s a STRONG CHANCE that Casemiro will leave Manchester United this summer and the club will go into the transfer market for a new holding midfielder! #MUFC [@DomBooth19, mufcMPB YouTube] pic.twitter.com/BNQVKtp78C
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) February 20, 2024
It is also reported that the 32-year-old has suitors from the Saudi Pro League and might fancy changing his fortune next season. To make his situation worse, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also considering a “surprise” move for Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
Casemiro joined the shores of Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 from Real Madrid for a fee of £60 million ($70 million approx.). And although his contract is set to expire in 2026, the likeliness of his exit from the club can’t be ruled out.
Anthony Martial
Once regarded as the wonder kid for his silky touch and ability to link up the play, Anthony Martial’s time at Manchester United is almost over. Martial, who has missed numerous games in recent years because of his injury concerns, is reported to be out of Erik ten Hag’s plans for the future.
🚨❌ #ManUnited are inclined to not activate Anthony #Martial‘s renewal option, confirmed. ✅
↩️ The 🇫🇷 striker is out of Ten Hag’s plans and – unless sensational twists – will leave #MUFC in June as a free agent.
⏳ To date, no club made concrete actions for him. 🐓⚽ pic.twitter.com/IucFmfTkkV
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) February 21, 2024
Reports suggest that the club is against the option of renewing the one-year option in his deal. Martial missed 10 weeks of soccer action last year after undergoing groin surgery. The Frenchman has appeared in 19 matches across all competitions this season and has scored twice and provided as many assists.
The 28-year-old’s nine-year-long spell at Old Trafford has had its own share of bitter times. After making a bright start to life in Manchester, the former AS Monaco player couldn’t live up to expectations. Since joining United from Monaco back in 2015, Martial has scored 90 goals and provided 53 assists in 317 appearances.
Donny van de Beek
Signed during Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s reign, Donny van de Beek is probably one of the most unlucky players in recent times. Since joining the club back in 2020, the former Ajax midfielder has lacked game time for the English club.
However, following the appointment of his former boss Erik ten Hag, everyone believed the Dutchman to regain his lost confidence. Although he was far from his best touch, which saw him sidelined, he was eventually loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt. Although he still has a year left on his contract, he is expected to be sold by the club next summer.
Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood’s situation at Manchester United still lies in a grey area. Following the charges of racism and assault against him being dropped, United didn’t feel the need to bring him back immediately. Greenwood was loaned to Getafe earlier this season and has displayed quality performance for the Spanish side.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said Manchester United will make a decision on Mason Greenwood’s future in the summer. pic.twitter.com/gkjDxynfMZ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 21, 2024
The Englishman is set to return from his loan spell at the end of the season, but his future at the club is uncertain. According to reports, the club has decided not to include the 22-year-old in their future plans. Manchester United have also received offers from top Spanish clubs for a possible sale of the youngster.
Erik ten Hag
Following the takeover of the INEOS group, Erik ten Hag’s situation at Manchester United is under the radar. Other than his performance this season, which hasn’t gone as he would have hoped for, the signings of players like Antony, Mason Mount, and Tyrell Malacia haven’t helped him either.
Erik ten Hag insists he does not care about the speculation around his future at Man Utd 🔴⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IalrABp9th
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 28, 2024
As per reports, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is exploring managerial options that might bring a different manager at the helm of Old Trafford at the end of the season. However, nothing concrete, names such as Roberto de Zerbi, Graham Potter, and Julian Naglesmann have made headlines in case the Dutch manager is shown the exit doors.