Let's say INEOS go full fire sale this summer: Who are your untouchables?

Antony, Sancho, Martial, McTominay, Maguire, Lindelof, Donny...the rest can stay

Garnacho, Mainoo, Rasmus, Martinez, Shaw.

Malacia as well

Mainoo - obviously.
Martinez - the injuries are a worry and he does have some physical limitations that means we might eventually need to try a different option, but we're years away before thinking of that..
Hojlund - We overpaid for him, but he has the potential to be very good for many years to come.
Garnacho - I'm not as confident in his long-term future as most are, but we certainly shouldn't be selling him until we see how he develops.

Those are probably the only four 'untouchables' as far as I'm concerned.

There are others that I don't want to see sold, but there are enough question marks over them that if INEOS come in and decide to get rid of them then I won't be amazed. Shaw the most obvious of those that almost got included in the untouchables, but his injury issues and the fact he hasn't exactly been the most consistent drops him just out of that group for me despite thinking he's probably our best player when he's on song.

Hojlund
Garnacho
Mainoo
Martinez
Dalot
Shaw
Casemiro
Varane
Bruno
Mount (haven't seen him enough)

The OP covered my main choices - Hojlund, Garnacho, Mainoo, Shaw, Martinez.

I'd have a second group of 'perfectly happy for them to stay, but equally happy for upgrades' that would include players like Dalot, Fernandes, Mount (I'll judge when he's played regularly), Rashford a possibility, but growing impatient at his inconsistency and poor attitude so probably more in the last group...

Any of the rest I'd be happy enough to see replaced based on a combination of either ability or age.

There are degrees.

1. Flat out untouchable - I'd say only Mainoo, Garnacho and Martinez. I can't see any possible reason why we'd sell them.

2. Very nearly so - Højlund, Bruno and Shaw. For them, it'd take some powerful reason other than their performance, such as a fundamental stylistic shift they'd be unsuited to.

3. Those who haven't given really compelling reasons to be kept, but where it's arguably also too early to decide they should go - Onana, Bayindir, Malacia, Mount, Amad.

4. Players who can play a useful squad role, but who really need to be upgraded on: Either Dalot or Wan-Bissaka, Antony

5. Players who can play, but should be considered sold if there's a good offer: Varane, Lindelöf, Maguire, Casemiro, McTominay, Pellistri

6. Players who just need to be moved out: Eriksen, Hannibal, Sancho, Martial. And Amrabat, obviously.

I don't think we need a full fire sale, and I certainly don't think it will happen anyways.

Bayindir will presumably stay as no. 2

Lindelöf is fine in his current role

I think Amrabat's option to sign permanently will not be triggered, we need a DM capable of playing in a single pivot and he's not that

Maguire is fine in his current role, if he accepts it (we'll likely sign a new RCB and he'll have to battle it out for a starting position)

Lisandro is vital and one of our most important players.

Mount hasn't really had a proper chance, obviously keep him, he can prove to be a very useful and important piece if he stays fit. His injury record is alright, so I'm not concerned about that.

Bruno should obviously stay as well. His "weaknesses" are blown out of proportion and can be controlled/masked if we are going to move towards a more-possession based approach that exerts control over the opponent. He's one of three truly elite "chance creating machines" in the whole league (the other two being KDB and Trent) and it would be difficult to find someone to replace that.

I was part of Martial FC for a long time but it's high time for him to leave now.

Rashford is also very valuable and miles better than what his own fans sadly tend to rate him, same story with Bruno. One of the best left wingers around. Would need a really good replacement or I don't wanna hear the idea of letting him go.

Hojlund: World class talent, pretty close to that level already to be honest, incredible profile, vital.

Malacia: Keep, hasn't really had enough chances and he can be a decent inverted full-back, also press-resistant. I don't think he's going to become world class like Shaw but can be an important player for us.

Eriksen: Unsure. I like him and he can still be useful in a squad player role, mostly in games where we control possession against weaker opponents. I'd keep him but not fussed about him potentially leaving.

Amad: Unsure as we've not seen him get a run of games at United just yet. Very likely way better than Antony, I think can earn himself a new contract with his performances, if he's given chances in the remaining part of this season.

Garnacho: Keep, but I don't rate him as highly as Hojlund or Mainoo. Still, has gone up in my estimations with his little revelation on the right wing. Definitely keep and is currently a very important player for us.

Casemiro: I'd keep him for 1 more year at least, even if we sign a new single-pivot DM, he's shown in the last few games that he still has a role to play here. This scenario might be even better, to be honest, as he could share the load and pressure with a new #6.

Varane: I really hope we act smart here and sell him this summer. I like him but he's our least equipped CB to the way we ultimately want to play and I think we might receive a decent offer from the Saudi league.

Dalot: Has improved recently and I'd definitely keep him. We need full-backs like him who can step into midfield.

Antony: I don't think we can get rid of him, but I hope we somehow find a way.

Onana: The mistakes have been unacceptable, obviously, but his press-resistance and distribution are really valuable and have definitely improved us. I think he will come good as he's never been this prone to howlers. But, it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Shaw: I don't think there's a better left back out there than him and I'll die on this hill against anyone. His fitness is concerning but there's no way we should get rid this summer.

AWB: I think he's a really unique profile and he can be useful in certain matches and situations, however, letting him go might be the best for both parties. Wouldn't mind him staying, but if we sign a new right back, one of him or Dalot will definitely be let go. As it stands, Dalot has the right-back position nailed down ahead of Wan-Bissaka.

Mainoo: We've needed a left sided, ball carrying #8 for ages and we've spawned this superstar right out of Carrington. Expect him to become one of the top ~20-25 most valuable players in the world within 2 years. One of 3 players I'd not consider selling for any realistic fee (other 2 being Hojlund and Martínez).

McTominay: I like him, and he's a way better player than the average football fan will think, but I feel like it's the perfect time to let him go. He's 27, will have 1 year left on his contract and his sale would help with FFP. Probably the last chance for us to get a decent fee for him. 25-30m would be a fair price.

Kambwala, Gore: I don't know just yet. Wouldn't mind them getting a few chances until the end of the season, if results don't get better and we have nothing to play for.

Greenwood: Sell. I don't want him back and I doubt Ineos will want to deal with his situation. Great opportunity to cut ties as we will likely have several decent offers from abroad, that will help with FFP as well.

Sancho: I can see us giving him another chance if we'll have a new manager. And I think that's what he's hoping for as well. If ETH stays, though, I'm pretty sure we offload Sancho in the summer.

Pellistri, van de Beek, Williams: Not good enough, there isn't any reason for these three to stay at the club beyond the next transfer window.

Hannibal: I like him and think he can play a part in a good team, but wouldn't be bothered by him leaving.

Heaton, Evans: Doesn't really matter what happens with them.

Ish said:

Hojlund, Garnacho, Mainoo, Martinez & Shaw. I like Dalot as well but I don’t think he’s untouchable.

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This.

For me only Garnacho, Hoijlund, Mainoo, Bruno, Shaw, Dalot & Martinez are of the quality to stay. And Dalot as a backup, not a starter.

After kicking likes of Becks, Ruud, Stam and older Ronaldo out for achieving greater good, pretty much nobody's untouchable.

Youth will hopefully take control from this decadent mess, soon.

kafta said:

For me only Garnacho, Hoijlund, Mainoo, Bruno, Shaw, Dalot & Martinez are of the quality to stay. And Dalot as a backup, not a starter.

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Build the team around your first 3 mentioned. Everyone else sell if the money is right. In some cases need to be crazy money ie Bruno £100m plus. Ie crazy. We need to learn to trade and sell better not just blindly extend. If players not good enough get rid. Think Rashford needs to try pastures new in the summer PSG would probably suit him. Huge summer ahead.

A fire sale won't happen, so there's that.

But hypothetically, who would I absolutely NOT sell (because they're clearly too good to get rid of, regardless of any circumstances)?

Nobody.

Sorry. We don't have a single player who's clearly that good.

justsomebloke said:

There are degrees.

1. Flat out untouchable - I'd say only Mainoo, Garnacho and Martinez. I can't see any possible reason why we'd sell them.

2. Very nearly so - Højlund, Bruno and Shaw. For them, it'd take some powerful reason other than their performance, such as a fundamental stylistic shift they'd be unsuited to.

3. Those who haven't given really compelling reasons to be kept, but where it's arguably also too early to decide they should go - Onana, Bayindir, Malacia, Mount, Amad.

4. Players who can play a useful squad role, but who really need to be upgraded on: Either Dalot or Wan-Bissaka, Antony

5. Players who can play, but should be considered sold if there's a good offer: Varane, Lindelöf, Maguire, Casemiro, McTominay, Pellistri

6. Players who just need to be moved out: Eriksen, Hannibal, Sancho, Martial. And Amrabat, obviously.

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Pretty much agree with all those groups.

Though, I'd put Hojlund in the same company as Garnacho and Mainoo so move him up to Group 1.

And I rate Hannibal about the same as Amad so therefore I'd put Hannibal in group 3 as he's also a young player with good potential who has barely been given a chance, same as Amad. So I wouldn't lump in group 6.

Other than those, I'd say that's spot on.

Valencia Shin Crosses said:

As the title says, there has been many reports about INEOS bringing in a number of new footballing minds to spearhead our recruitment and overall squad direction going forward. As with any time new decision makers come in, we can expect some changes to be made. Assuming we don't magically put forth some title contending second half form and largely stay the team we are now on our way to a 5th/6th place finish, I'm of the opinion that much of the squad needs to be turned over and we start fresh (Ragnick style). Whether or not you may agree, I am curious who the Cafe thinks are the utter untouchables from our squad that you absolutely don't want sold.

My list:

Hojlund- promising striker prospect perhaps coming into his own recently. Far too much potential to ditch after 1 year though especially with how dry the market is
Garnacho- obvious choice. Has carried our attack at times this season as a teenager.
Mainoo- Again another obvious choice. Build the entire midfield around him.
Shaw - Getting up there in age but it's very hard to find fullbacks as complete as he is when fit.
Martinez- the injury issues give me pause, but he's far too good when fit.
Dalot- Not very well liked by the Cafe but he has a very solid skillset and is quietly having his best season so far with the club.

Some notable names aren't on the list, but these are really the only players that I'd absolutely hate to see leave this summer. Everyone else is expendable for various reasons.

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Add Bruno and I agree.

Valencia Shin Crosses said:

But otherwise seems we are all on the same page

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Shaw or no Shaw is another one.

RedDevil@84 said:

Shaw or no Shaw is another one.

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I'd imagine the only real concern about him is his injury record / availability?

When he's fit and available, he's surely an 'untouchable'. But we miss him so much when he's not available which, sadly, is far more often than ideal. So, yeah, I guess there's an argument that we could get an upgrade in terms of someone who is likely to be available much more and so has us more consistently solid down the left. Though it would be hard to get an upgrade in terms of someone better than a fit Luke Shaw.

I'd be fine with the below, but I think I'm more patient than your average fan : more than willing to be patient to do things right. And also because I believe our financial situation needs to be addressed post-haste.

Hojlund- promising striker prospect perhaps coming into his own recently. Far too much potential to ditch after 1 year though especially with how dry the market is
Garnacho- obvious choice. Has carried our attack at times this season as a teenager.
Mainoo- Again another obvious choice. Build the entire midfield around him.
Shaw - Getting up there in age but it's very hard to find fullbacks as complete as he is when fit.
Martinez- the injury issues give me pause, but he's far too good when fit.
Dalot- Not very well liked by the Cafe but he has a very solid skillset and is quietly having his best season so far with the club.

Of course feasibility, continuity and pragmatism should come into play, but barring the four I mention, a conversation can be had on anyone else should the right offer be presented.

stoinz said:

not sure if it is realistic to expect a fire sale. I honestly think our first eleven are pretty good except for the goal keeper.

We would be much higher up the table if not for those injuries. But let's say if we do have a fire sale. I'll keep the following as first team (not necessary starters):
Shaw, Malacia, Dalot, Martinez, Casemiro, Mainoo, Bruno, Mount, Garnacho, Hojlund

From the above list, the absolute must keep would be Martinez and Shaw.

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We’ll obviously free up some wages from the likes of Martial, Greenwood, Beek, Sancho. Then we have the ones like Maguire/McTominay who could have gone last year, plus people want Casemiro/Varane gone. We’d have no squad left if we cleared all of that. Let alone getting to players like Dalot, Bruno, Rashford etc.

This forum is forever obsessed with us selling nearly all our players. Here are some very simple reasons why it will never happen amd would be a really, REALLY stupid idea:

1) most of them we would struggle to sell as other clubs both can't afford their wages and don't have any money to sign them, or don't need them.

2) There is no such thing as a fire sale at a football club unless it goes into administration, because otherwise you would have no players left and get relegated. (The only PL team I remember doing this is Leeds. It ended with them going from about the level we are now, to getting relegated for nearly 20 years)

3) It is invariably a disaster if you try and implement a massive turnover of players in the space of one transfer window. See Chelsea FC circa: now

4) Players can actually decide if they want to leave or not, and won't if for example you try to sell them to West Ham on a severely reduced wage. This is unless their contract runs out in which case you don't get to sell thrm amd don't get any money so then can't replace them unless it's with Johnny Evans.

Bertie Wooster said:

I'd imagine the only real concern about him is his injury record / availability?

When he's fit and available, he's surely an 'untouchable'. But we miss him so much when he's not available which, sadly, is far more often than ideal. So, yeah, I guess there's an argument that we could get an upgrade in terms of someone who is likely to be available much more and so has us more consistently solid down the left. Though it would be hard to get an upgrade in terms of someone better than a fit Luke Shaw.

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Yes. His fitness is a big question mark, given his history with us. In my opinion, that rules him out of any future plans.

the kids. it’s always the kids.

noodlehair said:

This forum is forever obsessed with us selling nearly all our players. Here are some very simple reasons why it will never happen amd would be a really, REALLY stupid idea:

1) most of them we would struggle to sell as other clubs both can't afford their wages and don't have any money to sign them, or don't need them.

2) There is no such thing as a fire sale at a football club unless it goes into administration, because otherwise you would have no players left and get relegated. (The only PL team I remember doing this is Leeds. It ended with them going from about the level we are now, to getting relegated for nearly 20 years)

3) It is invariably a disaster if you try and implement a massive turnover of players in the space of one transfer window. See Chelsea FC circa: now

4) Players can actually decide if they want to leave or not, and won't if for example you try to sell them to West Ham on a severely reduced wage. This is unless their contract runs out in which case you don't get to sell thrm amd don't get any money so then can't replace them unless it's with Johnny Evans.

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This 100%.

Every single year the solution is always to replace players with new ones. As if it will solve everything.

Hojlund / garnacho / Mainoo / Martinez

Maybe Shaw. Thats prob it to be honest

Remember the geese said:

The feck?

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Thing is, if you're look at our CBs to sell/get rid off, Evans is probably 2nd behing Martinez in the "keep" rankings.

Maguire and Lindelof aren't good enough for varying reasons and both need to go (and we can get at least £50m between them you'd think). Varane is good enough but you'd be happy to sell for a good fee.

Obviously he isn't untouchable, but don't think there is any rush to get him out the door.

The only players we feasibly can shift for decent money are probably Maguire and McTominay. Judging by how neither pushed for a move when there was interest last summer, I can't really see either pushing for a move in the next one either.

Even with the new investment, I doubt our squad will look radically different in a year's time. Hopefully the senior players out on loan are moved permanently.

Annihilate Now! said:

Thing is, if you're look at our CBs to sell/get rid off, Evans is probably 2nd behing Martinez in the "keep" rankings.

Maguire and Lindelof aren't good enough for varying reasons and both need to go (and we can get at least £50m between them you'd think). Varane is good enough but you'd be happy to sell for a good fee.

Obviously he isn't untouchable, but don't think there is any rush to get him out the door.

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Varane will be out of contract in the summer. We have a +1 option, but it seems that we won't be triggering it and will instead try to get him to accept reduced terms. The whole situation is pretty reminiscent of the De Gea case last year.

Annihilate Now! said:

Thing is, if you're look at our CBs to sell/get rid off, Evans is probably 2nd behing Martinez in the "keep" rankings.

Maguire and Lindelof aren't good enough for varying reasons and both need to go (and we can get at least £50m between them you'd think). Varane is good enough but you'd be happy to sell for a good fee.

Obviously he isn't untouchable, but don't think there is any rush to get him out the door.

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Yeah, I understand the logic. It was just the "untouchable" tag regarding Evans. Pretty hilarious.

groovyalbert said:

Hojlund, Garnacho, Martinez, Mainoo, Rashford, Bruno, Shaw.

Would be happy to keep Varane and Case around, but they're probably part of a small pool who could fetch a decent fee from Saudi.

I've no qualms in us keeping McTominay, Dalot, AWB and Lindelof around either.

Hey rid ASAP - Martial, Sancho, Greenwood, Amrabat, Antony and can see Mount and Onana being added to this list before too long.

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More or less what I was thinking

The White Pele said:

Hojlund - no brainer due to age and potential

Garnacho - no brainer due to age and potential

Shaw - he’s very good and we have very little depth at LB so selling Shaw would cause unnecessary disruption

Martinez - excellent at what he does. Question marks over his fitness but with Varane OOC, Maguire below required level, we require a major CB refresh this summer and Martinez needs to be the constant

Mainoo - no brainer due to age and potential

Bruno - you could argue he might be one that would need to make way to form a new team as he is such a key cog of the current one but I think it’s too early for that. There are far bigger problems than our captain and often best player

Rashford - similar to Bruno really. His wages could make a sale tempting if he continues to frustrate with his performances but there’s plenty of other players that could significantly reduce the wage bill such as Varane, Casemiro, Sancho, Martial, Antony, Maguire so the money doesn’t need to be a factor this summer. Only if he has a negative influence on the dressing room should he be sold but I don’t think that has been the case yet

Dalot - just a really useful player to have even if used as a squad player. Can play both full back positions, good attitude, rarely injured, only 24, not on a massive wage and tied up until 2028.

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Sane post!! Yikes. Security, over here, please.

Valencia Shin Crosses said:

As the title says, there has been many reports about INEOS bringing in a number of new footballing minds to spearhead our recruitment and overall squad direction going forward. As with any time new decision makers come in, we can expect some changes to be made. Assuming we don't magically put forth some title contending second half form and largely stay the team we are now on our way to a 5th/6th place finish, I'm of the opinion that much of the squad needs to be turned over and we start fresh (Ragnick style). Whether or not you may agree, I am curious who the Cafe thinks are the utter untouchables from our squad that you absolutely don't want sold.

My list:

Hojlund- promising striker prospect perhaps coming into his own recently. Far too much potential to ditch after 1 year though especially with how dry the market is
Garnacho- obvious choice. Has carried our attack at times this season as a teenager.
Mainoo- Again another obvious choice. Build the entire midfield around him.
Shaw - Getting up there in age but it's very hard to find fullbacks as complete as he is when fit.
Martinez- the injury issues give me pause, but he's far too good when fit.
Dalot- Not very well liked by the Cafe but he has a very solid skillset and is quietly having his best season so far with the club.

Some notable names aren't on the list, but these are really the only players that I'd absolutely hate to see leave this summer. Everyone else is expendable for various reasons.

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+ Lindelof - slayer of muggers, owner of the finest WAG and crossdresser supreme. Also a very nice man

I am surprised by the amount of people putting Shaw in an untouchable list. Dude cant stay healthy. I get he is quality when fit and on form, but that is just so rare anymore id easily leave him off an untouchable list.

noodlehair said:

This forum is forever obsessed with us selling nearly all our players. Here are some very simple reasons why it will never happen amd would be a really, REALLY stupid idea:

1) most of them we would struggle to sell as other clubs both can't afford their wages and don't have any money to sign them, or don't need them.

2) There is no such thing as a fire sale at a football club unless it goes into administration, because otherwise you would have no players left and get relegated. (The only PL team I remember doing this is Leeds. It ended with them going from about the level we are now, to getting relegated for nearly 20 years)

3) It is invariably a disaster if you try and implement a massive turnover of players in the space of one transfer window. See Chelsea FC circa: now

4) Players can actually decide if they want to leave or not, and won't if for example you try to sell them to West Ham on a severely reduced wage. This is unless their contract runs out in which case you don't get to sell thrm amd don't get any money so then can't replace them unless it's with Johnny Evans.

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we're talking of untouchables here ie players we shouldn't sell irrespective of fee and circumstances. That list is bound to be small unless we're treble winners.

Martinez, Mainoo and Hojlund are my only absolute untouchables. Garnacho, Bruno and Shaw are in the next group down. Everyone else can go.

Its hard to say because it all depends on the right circumstances, but the only 2 I would not want us to sell in 99% of cases are Mainoo and Garnacho

If we replaced each player with a player I like and rate highly, either as a transfer or as a promotion from our youth team then yeah just those two. But its most likely that at least half the time the club would replace each player with someone I dont like, rate hightly or think is a couple of seasons away from helping the team in the way that the departing player does. For that reason I'd be concerned if say 10 players leave the squad in the summer. If its half that with 5 we cant mess up as much...

Mainoo, Garnacho, Hojlund, Licha, and Bruno. There’s a good few others I wouldn’t want sold, but really everyone else is replaceable, problem is we’re terrible at replacing players.