Five Players Manchester United Must Sell This Summer

In what is promised to be a huge summer, Last Word on Football provides you with the five players Manchester United must sell during the transfer window. From club favourites to those that haven’t worked, we look at those who could be heading towards the exit door, why, and how much Manchester United will likely get for them. Of course, all of these picks depend on who will be in charge at Old Trafford next season.

Five Players Manchester United Must Sell This Summer

Manuel Ugarte

It simply hasn’t worked for Manuel Ugarte at Old Trafford. Having played for Sporting Lisbon and Paris Saint Germain, the Uruguayan came to Manchester with a lot of hype. He came as a strong tackling disruptor who could provide much-needed legs in the midfield alongside Casemiro, but he hasn’t lived up to the expectations.

He’s constantly struggled to find good form, hasn’t been able to achieve a consistent run in the team and has featured a lot more off the bench than in the starting XI. United have only won one of the seven games he’s started this season.

Having signed for £42.1million, United could get at least £28-£30million for the 24-year-old.

Joshua Zirkzee

Much like Ugarte, Zirkzee hasn’t settled at United. His best position is as a #10; however, competing against Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and now Matheus Cunha, he’s struggled for minutes, regardless of the manager.

Following spells at Bayern Munich and Bologna, United won the signature of the Dutchman, despite interest from AC Milan. After a troublesome first season where he played back-up to Rasmus Hojlund, Zirkzee hasn’t improved during his second season. The first season is often difficult as players must adapt to a new league, new teammates and new surroundings; however, this season, his second in Manchester, he’s started just four league games. He’s scored just two goals this season and doesn’t offer anything dynamic off the bench.

United signed Zirkzee for £36.5million, but his value has certainly gone down since his move to England. He’s still only 24 years old, and The Red Devils can put a price tag on him of £22-£24million.

Marcus Rashford

This one is a bit of a tap-in; the dream of Marcus Rashford going down as a Manchester United legend is over. After being cast aside by former manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford went on loan to Aston Villa and is now a regular in the Barcelona FC squad.

Life in Spain has suited Rashford, who has scored 10 goals in 37 appearances. They have an option to buy the England international for €30million as part of his loan deal; however, The Athletic’s Andy Mitten has reported that regardless of whether Barcelona trigger the option, Rashford won’t play for United again. His salary is too much for United to warrant bringing him back, despite an apparent interest from Michael Carrick to work with his fellow countryman.

It’s over for Rashford and Manchester United.

Mason Mount

MM7 – Mason Mount and United’s number seven shirt, a relationship that has never worked. The eyebrow-raising choice to give Mount, a former Chelsea player, United’s iconic number seven shirt has backfired in an awful way for United. From David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best to Bryan Robson, and now Mason Mount, the weight of the shirt has been too heavy for him.

It isn’t the performances of Mount that have let fans down; it’s been his availability. For Chelsea, in the four seasons before signing with United, he made a total of 195 appearances. For United, in the two and a half seasons he’s spent at Old Trafford, he’s featured just 66 times. He’s only started 23 league games for United of a possible 105 games. Since signing, Mount has missed 58 games due to injury, and it doesn’t appear as if anything is going to change.

United bought Mount for a staggering £55million but would be lucky to get half of that if they were to sell him now.

Jadon Sancho

Joining for an eyewatering £73million from Borussia Dortmund, Jadon Sancho’s time at Manchester United has been truly woeful. Despite featuring regularly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, as well as being given time off for personal reasons, Sancho has never repaid United with commitment.

Lacklustre performances, a poor attitude dating back to his Manchester City days and an online backlash following a suspension from the squad, the relationship between Sancho and United is irreparable.

United won’t be able to get anything near the £73million they paid for Sancho, and a more realistic £20million could be achieved. He’s performed well at Aston Villa whilst on loan this season, and a strong end to the season could see him gain interest from other clubs.

Other Players to Move on

Aside from the five players Manchester United must sell this summer outlined above, several other players also need to leave.

Time is up for Tyrell Malacia and Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford, two men who came with high expectations but never lived up to them. Back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayinder has reportedly secured a move away from United, a move that makes sense for all parties.

Chido Obi should be loaned out to a Championship side to get more experience of men’s football, having been dropped from the first team squad after several cameos last season. United need to be careful not to stunt his growth by keeping him in the under-21s for too long.