Summer clear out

[rocks13]

There still seems to be a feeling among many posters that we're going to have a massive clear out this summer. I not too sure where this is coming from other than the general low esteem a number of our players are held in here.

According to various threads and posts we'd be getting rid of Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Fellaini, Young, Rooney, Lingard, Martial, Shaw and Blind - so basically about half our squad.

As the summer progresses it's becoming more clear that Mourinho and Woodward's statements from last season that we're only going to sign 3 or 4 players were true. A new striker is basically a straight replacement for Zlatan, a new midfielder is replacing the already gone Scheiderlin/Schweinsteiger and another forward would replace Depay from last season. So a significant number of outgoings would surely leave us short of numbers going into the new season.

 

[whatwha]

No point in selling before we have finished buying (for that position at least). Would simply leave us more desperate.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

Don't think we'll make big moves with our squad this summer. If we were going to really shake it up, we'd be well underway by now. I think we'll maybe sell Jones and/or Smalling, possibly even Darmian if an offer comes in that works, but that's all. I don't think we'll be buying too many players either. Matic, Morata seem likely and if Inter cave, Perisic too, but can't see us doing much else.

 

[Giggsy92]

Obviously we wouldn't get rid of all three of Shaw, Darmian and Blind in one summer. If we can find a buyer for one of those three, Jones, Rooney and Young while bringing in three more players then that would be a fairly normal summer.

 

[Todd]

Unless those players want to leave, I can't see the wisdom in trying to clear them all out.

In theory, we should want as many capable, reliable players in the squad as possible. We're pretty much guaranteed to face an injury crisis at some point each season, and if we sell off all those guys, I can almost guarantee there will come a point late in the season when we'll have like 5-6 regulars out injured and be wishing we still had guys like Blind, Smalling, Fellaini, Young, etc, who may not be world beaters but can certainly fill in and do a job when needed.

 

[kentafuji]

I don't think a massive overhaul is needed or is going to happen. I expect a few players to leave.

One of Smalling or Jones may, especially if they see their playing time reduced.
I think if a really good offer for Darmian comes in, we may end up selling him and I could see Young leaving, as I feel he will be even more a bit part player next season.

Rooney too, obviously if the right deal comes in for him

 

[doomy20]

From the ones mentioned i would:

Definitely keep: Smalling, Fellaini, Young, Lingard, Martial, Shaw and Blind
Definitely get rid of: Jones, Darmian, Rooney

 

[Grylte]

I'm looking forward to see who's levaing aswell.

I'd like us to keep Darmian, but if one of the Italian clubs come in with a decent offer, he'll probably be sold.
Lingard just signed a new contract, got pay rise, so we won't sell him. Doubt anyone will buy him, since his ability and wages don't match. Useful squad player.
Martial and Shaw will improve alot this season, i'm sure.
Young has been good when he got the chance, but i'm sure he wants to play more than he had the last seasons.
I like Blind, but i don't think he is good enough to challenge for the title and CL.
Fellaini should leave, but i don't think he will, unfortunately. Yes, he had a good season, considering what we expected from him, but he slows us down too much.
Smalling and Jones i don't mind selling, injuries and not good enough. Sad, they looked promising.
Rooney's wages will probably keep clubs away... Let's hope he somehow finds his old self this summer, he's not that old.

 

[whatwha]

Obviously we wouldn't get rid of all three of Shaw, Darmian and Blind in one summer. If we can find a buyer for one of those three, Jones, Rooney and Young while bringing in three more players then that would be a fairly normal summer.

Why on earth would you want to get rid of Blind? He can cover 4 positions and is generally solid if not spectacular. And he's happy to be a rotational player. Quite a valuable squad member to have IMO.

 

[AndyJ1985]

As things stand the only players I'd get rid of are Rooney and Smalling/Jones. We've already lost Zlatan. Can't afford to lose anyone else before we bring in more players.

 

[Craig Ward]

Agree, cant see a massive overhaul just certain tweeks and improvements.

I personally think the out-goings will be limited, can see Young & Smalling being the most likely to go.

Rooney will only go to Everton, and they don't seem interested for now. When Lukaku goes that may change.

We need Darmian as cover for both fullback positions so cant see him going. I'd like to see Fellaini and Lingard go as they are not good enough but both appear to be in favour with Jose so likely they'll stay.

Blind is a strange one for me, with Lindelof coming in he wont get much game time at CB, I think Darmian and shaw are ahead of him at LB and Jose has never played him as a DM and looking likely we will sign one and have Carrick for backup there. Can't see where he fits in.

We may see some active movement once we get a few players in, its a bit wait and see for now.......

 

[2 man midfield]

We have one of these every summer. We must buy some dross pretty frequently...

 

[settembrini]

No I don't think there will be significant outgoings this summer. Mourinho has got the squad to a size he feels comfortable with and we will make approximately the same number of sales as we do buys (2-4).

Plus ofc we will cut a bunch of players who simply aren't part of the first team squad. Januzaj, Johnstone, Varela etc.

I think the people who were assuming a mass exodus will occur where probably the same people who thought we would spent hundreds of millions on 6 or 7 new players. Pretty sure most people have now accepted this won't be happening.

 

[Verbalkint]

According to various threads and posts we'd be getting rid of Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Fellaini, Young, Rooney, Lingard, Martial, Shaw and Blind - so basically about half our squad.

Smalling, Jones & Young are the only certainties i think. Jose's shown his support for Fellaini and if reports are to be believed has patched up with Shaw.

Selling Blind would make no sense IMO - don't think his wages are an issue plus he's such a handy squad player in CM & defence. I'd love to have him around if i were Jose but you never know!

I'd hate to lose Martial the most. He's got so much potential but attitude problems never sit well with managers and with a dominant figure like Jose there's only one winner.

As for Rooney, i don't think he'd chuck a club legend out. if i had it my way, he'd definitely be out simply because of how much he's being paid. It's pretty much a one way thing if you ask me - get paid a ton without really playing. Great player for us, but clearly past it.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

To get rid of players we need to sign a few. Ed Woodward might be the first, on the end of Jose boot if he doesn't sign him some players.

 

[Nickosaur]

Unless those players want to leave, I can't see the wisdom in trying to clear them all out.

In theory, we should want as many capable, reliable players in the squad as possible. We're pretty much guaranteed to face an injury crisis at some point each season, and if we sell off all those guys, I can almost guarantee there will come a point late in the season when we'll have like 5-6 regulars out injured and be wishing we still had guys like Blind, Smalling, Fellaini, Young, etc, who may not be world beaters but can certainly fill in and do a job when needed.

Yep, that's why we need a clear out.

 

[Android1974]

Last season, we had till January a 28 players squad, and from then (after Depay, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger moved out) just a 25 player one, which is a number Mourinho prefers. Besides, it was very unbalanced by the end of the season, because from those 25 there were 11 defenders, while he just had 4 central midfielders, and that's why you ended up seeing Tuanzebe and Fosu-Mensah displayed in midfield.

So, supposing Pereira might have a chance to stay, and I see us getting a (defensive) midfielder, we'll have 6 players there. More a winger and a striker bought, we'll have 8 players in the first and second line of attack (if Rooney leaves, I see us getting James or something like that). Those numbers make sense and add attacking variety to the team. But if we keep all the defenders, we'll have a 29 players squad, which is unbearable and Mourinho won't work with. So, my guess is that a minimum of 2 defenders will be sold (Smalling, Darmian) or loaned (Young, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah).

 

[Momochiru]

I don't expect or want anyone to leave, maybe only Rooney, because of his massive wages and marginal contribution. And of course a few on loan players like Januzaj.

 

[AshRK]

Sell Rooney and young surely. Enough of those two blocking other players development. Shame some want darmian to be sold , he may not be the most skilful but surely does his job pretty effectively.

Also, one of Jones or smalling should be sent packing, would prefer to keep smalling as at least stays fit. Other than that I feel we must keep hold of every player. It will be crazy to sell darmian and keep a wage eating Ashley young for one more year.

 

[Android1974]

I don't expect or want anyone to leave, maybe only Rooney, because of his massive wages and marginal contribution. And of course a few on loan players like Januzaj.

Mourinho usually looks for a 25 players squad, that is 22 field players for 10 positions, so as to have competition for places.

 

[Momochiru]

Mourinho usually looks for a 25 players squad, that is 22 field players for 10 positions, so as to have competition for places.

I know that, but I think he might change this considering last year's injury crisis and the fact that it is a normal occurrence for us.

 

[Zlatattack]

1. We shouldn't really be selling until we buy.
2. We're not going to let everyone go at the same time. Look where it left us last year.

I expect anyone who leaves should get a replacement. I think this summer we'll see one of Smalling or Jones leave, next summer I expect the weakest of the remaining three centre backs we have to leave (possbibly replaced by Taunzebe if he's good enough to take the step up).

If Rooney wants to hang on he'll leave next year, though i'd happily see him go this year and have us get in 2 strikers instead of 1.

Young will probably be retained until next year as he can rotate with Valencia and do a job in midfield. If he leaves i expect him to be replaced by another winger (Perisic?).

Fellaini will stay this year, he was effective but he'll probably leave next year. If he did leave this year i'd expect to see a replacement bought in.

If the talk of 4 transfers only is true, then i expect them to be a CB, CDM, Winger and striker. These players will add to the current squad.

 

[AndersB]

.

 

[AndersB]

Seriously, what's up with -wanting- to get rid of Darmian right now? I'm no fan of him for sure, but before a replacement is bought all we have is an injury-prone out-of-favor Shaw, Young every now and then, plus Blind, who may have to cover other spots.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Seriously, what's up with -wanting- to get rid of Darmian right now? I'm no fan of him for sure, but before a replacement is bought all we have is an injury-prone out-of-favor Shaw, Young every now and then, plus Blind, who may have to cover other spots.

Also Rojo with his injury, who we do not want anywhere near LB ever again.

 

[AndersB]

Also Rojo with his injury, who we do not want anywhere near LB ever again.

Agreed, I didn't even bother mentioning him for that very reason.

IMO we are more in need of a new LB than we are of a LW.

 

[Hellboy]

Also Rojo with his injury, who we do not want anywhere near LB ever again.

Jose basically said he was a shit LB.

 

[settembrini]

Mourinho usually looks for a 25 players squad, that is 22 field players for 10 positions, so as to have competition for places.

He has said several times that he prefers 20 outfield players + keepers.

It’s the first time I’ve worked with such a number of players because I’m used to working with 20 plus the keepers, and we have in the squad 23 plus the keepers.

That was at the start of the season. He then cut the three 'extra' outfield players (Depay, Schniederlin, Schweinsteiger) during the season to get the squad down to his usual size.

 

[An Irish Red]

We should definitely get rid of Rooney, Fellaini, Lingard and (probably) Darmian as well. I doubt we will though.

 

[stevoc]

From the ones mentioned i would:

Definitely keep: Smalling, Fellaini, Young, Lingard, Martial, Shaw and Blind
Definitely get rid of: Jones, Darmian, Rooney

I'd agree with these in and outs, no chance Jose will be having a Van Gaal style squad cull. The squad isn't the deepest to begin with, 4-5 in and 2-3 out is what i imagine our summer business will involve.

 

[Android1974]

He has said several times that he prefers 20 outfield players + keepers.

He said so, but didn't apply it in United, though.

That was at the start of the season. He then cut the three 'extra' outfield players (Depay, Schniederlin, Schweinsteiger) during the season to get the squad down to his usual size.

No, it was not. Look what I've wrote behind. We started with 28 and ended with 25 last season.

Anyhow, if we were going for 23 total, that would mean 6 would have to be dumped (for instance, all of Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Smalling, Darmian, Pereira, Rooney).

 

[Jacob]

Why the Darmian hate? He is still young and is immense during his better days. Just needs to find consistency in play time.

 

[arthurka]

Didn't we opt for the +1 year in Fellsins contract? He Isn't going anywhere.

Shaw? Darmian? Jones or Smalling?

I only know I want Rooney out.

 

[Android1974]

Why the Darmian hate? He is still young and is immense during his better days. Just needs to find consistency in play time.

You're right. But he doesn't have the attacking output to gain a spot here, though.

 

[settembrini]

He said so, but didn't apply it in United, though.

No, it was not. Look what I've wrote behind. We started with 28 and ended with 25 last season.

Anyhow, if we were going for 23 total, that would mean 6 would have to be dumped (for instance, all of Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Smalling, Darmian, Pereira, Rooney).

He did apply it to United.

Here are the 23 he is referring to at the start of the season: Pogba, Valencia, Herrera, Ibrahimovic, Bailly, Blind, Rashford, Rojo, Mata, Carrick, Fellaini, Jones, Martial, Rooney, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Darmian, Smalling, Young, Shaw, Fosu-Mensah, Depay, Schneiderlin.

Other players who played for us last season.
1. Schweinsteiger. Mourinho didn't count him because he had booted him out the first team squad at that time.
2. De Gea, Romero, Pereira. Mourinho said he had 23 plus the keepers. These are our keepers.
3. Tuanzebe, McTominay, Harrop, Mitchell, Gomes. Reserves who got to train with the first team squad later in the season and play a little bit once the league was effectively over.

What Mourinho said regarding the number of players was accurate. I don't understand how you came up with your numbers and why you think Mourinho was wrong.

 

[Kidders]

Januzaj and Harrop have obviously gone, I don't see us offering Zlatan a contract extension (hope I'm wrong), Rooney and Fellaini MUST leave, Smalling or Jones (my choice would be Smalling), I can see Sam Johnstone, Bothwick-Jackson, McTominay, Varela moving, Mitchell and Gomes may have short loans, but the player I just don't want us to keep is Lingard, I just don't get him.



That would leave us with:

DDG, Romero &Periera in goal.
Valencia, Linderlöf, Jones, Bailly, Shaw, Blind, Darmian, Rojo
Mata, Mkhitaryan, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, Periera, Fosu-Mensah
Rashford, Martial, Young & hopefully Zlatan

That's 4 or 5 quality players short of a title winning squad.

 

[RedDevil@84]

I would hold on to Darmian and Blind as long as we could.

 

[Android1974]

He did apply it to United.

Here are the 23 he is referring to at the start of the season: Pogba, Valencia, Herrera, Ibrahimovic, Bailly, Blind, Rashford, Rojo, Mata, Carrick, Fellaini, Jones, Martial, Rooney, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Darmian, Smalling, Young, Shaw, Fosu-Mensah, Depay, Schneiderlin.

Other players who played for us last season.
1. Schweinsteiger. Mourinho didn't count him because he had booted him out the first team squad at that time.
2. De Gea, Romero, Pereira. Mourinho said he had 23 plus the keepers. These are our keepers.
3. Tuanzebe, McTominay, Harrop, Mitchell, Gomes. Reserves who got to train with the first team squad later in the season and play a little bit once the league was effectively over.

What Mourinho said regarding the number of players was accurate. I don't understand how you came up with your numbers and why you think Mourinho was wrong.

Let's see. Yes, you're right regarding his exception last season from his usual 20+3, I got the numbers mixed. I thought you were saying he stood for his usual policy. We had initially 23+3, but Schweinsteiger was integrated in November, and Tuanzebe was training with the first squad and playing since January, so can't see how those can't be considered as making part of the teams then.

My general point is that, even if Mourinho is sticking to his new large number squad of 23 outfield players + 3 keepers, a large trim is necessarily going to happen, at least with the minimum expected 3 buys (defensive midfielder, winger and striker). We have now 12 defenders (counting the injured Rojo and Tuanzebe), 5 midfielders (including the return of Pereira), and 6 attackers (if Rooney stays), which amounts already to the maximum 23. Every guy that comes in will put another out of the squad now. And if Mourinho wanted to revert to his usual 20+3 policy, at least 3 immediately would have to go.

 

[Android1974]

Januzaj and Harrop have obviously gone, I don't see us offering Zlatan a contract extension (hope I'm wrong), Rooney and Fellaini MUST leave, Smalling or Jones (my choice would be Smalling), I can see Sam Johnstone, Bothwick-Jackson, McTominay, Varela moving, Mitchell and Gomes may have short loans, but the player I just don't want us to keep is Lingard, I just don't get him.



That would leave us with:

DDG, Romero &Periera in goal.
Valencia, Linderlöf, Jones, Bailly, Shaw, Blind, Darmian, Rojo
Mata, Mkhitaryan, Carrick, Herrera, Pogba, Periera, Fosu-Mensah
Rashford, Martial, Young & hopefully Zlatan

That's 4 or 5 quality players short of a title winning squad.

Young practically hasn't played as a winger this season, you have to count him as a full-back.

 

[Oneunited26]

Smalling, Jones & Young are the only certainties i think. Jose's shown his support for Fellaini and if reports are to be believed has patched up with Shaw.

Selling Blind would make no sense IMO - don't think his wages are an issue plus he's such a handy squad player in CM & defence. I'd love to have him around if i were Jose but you never know!

I'd hate to lose Martial the most. He's got so much potential but attitude problems never sit well with managers and with a dominant figure like Jose there's only one winner.

As for Rooney, i don't think he'd chuck a club legend out. if i had it my way, he'd definitely be out simply because of how much he's being paid. It's pretty much a one way thing if you ask me - get paid a ton without really playing. Great player for us, but clearly past it.

He's been one if not the second best signing behind zlaten, and on par with herrera, he's outstanding option to be used has a CB has we saw in the EL final

In the perfect world, lingard, fellaini, young and rooney would be my 4 I would move on this summer, and if we had the right anchor man signing carrick would be another