Following the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane for a combined £110million, a host of United players could be sold in an attempt to recoup some extra funds
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could sell up to six stars this summer as the Manchester United manager looks to trim his squad ahead of the new season.
Following the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane for a combined £110million, a host of United players could be sold in an attempt to recoup some funds, and see those who are no longer in Solskjaer’s plans leave Old Trafford.
As we enter the final month of the summer transfer window, all sides are now fine-tuning their squad for the season ahead, and United have a lot of fringe players that could potentially to be moved on.
The Mirror Football takes a look at who could exit Old Trafford before the deadline on August 31.
Andreas Pereira
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REUTERS)
Andreas Pereira spent last season on-loan at Lazio and it is rumoured that an offer of £20million could be enough to see the Brazilian midfielder leave Old Trafford and end his ten-year stay in Manchester.
Pereira was signed as a 16-year-old but has never been able to hold down a consistent role within the United team.
Three loan spells later and now at the age of 25, it might be time to cash-in on the midfielder, who’s current deal with the club expires in 2023.
Daniel James
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James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Daniel James was signed from Swansea City back in 2019 for £15million, but the Welsh winger has fallen down the pecking order at United.
The arrival of Jadon Sancho means that James’ wide role within the team is under more of a threat than ever, and may need to leave the club to secure first-team football.
Leeds United have been long-term admirers of James, but with the Yorkshire side recently making Jack Harrison’s loan move permanent, it makes it less likely that they will make an attempt to sign the Welshman.
A possible loan switch has been mooted, with several Premier League clubs believed to be open to the idea, though James will no doubt want to fight for his place.
But with the likes of Amad also pushing for contention and Mason Greenwood not quite United’s first choice through the middle, chances for James could be limited.
The 23-year-old still has a lot to offer, but his future may not be at Old Trafford.
Phil Jones
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Getty Images)
Phil Jones is one of the remaining veterans from the Sir Alex Ferguson era, despite only being 29-years-old, but his United career looks all but over.
The defender has been plagued by injury over the last few years, and hasn’t featured for United since January 2020.
Following the arrival of Raphael Varane, Jones isn’t even within the top four centre-back choices at the club, and may have to leave in order to revive his career.
West Ham and Newcastle have shown interest in the defender, with former United boss David Moyes ready to throw the Englishman a lifeline.
Diogo Dalot
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Getty Images)
Diogo Dalot spent the last season on-loan at AC Milan and the Rosseneri seem keen on securing his services on a permanent basis.
Dalot was a regular feature within the Milan side, who finished second behind rivals Inter, and his performances helped earn a place in Portugal’s summer Euro 2020 squad.
The 22-year-old was signed from Porto for £19million back in 2018 and it is thought that United would be reluctant to let Dalot go due to his clear potential.
However, the £50million signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019 could force the Portuguese full-back to leave, as the ex-Crystal Palace man is seen as the primary asset.
Axel Tuanzebe
Axel Tuanzebe has made it clear that he is in search of first-team football, and the signing of Raphael Varane has put the 23-year-old in a similar position to Phil Jones.
United have seven first-team centre-backs on their books, and Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly all sit ahead of Tuanzebe as a potential partner to Varane, whilst youngster Teden Mengi is also in contention for minutes.
Newcastle have made enquiries about Tuanzebe’s availability, with Steve Bruce looking to bring in a young defender, and United may look to sell and honour the wishes of the academy graduate.
Tuanzebe has been with United since he was just eight, but has struggled to break into the first team as a senior player after spending two season’s on loan at Aston Villa, where he was part of their promotion-winning side.
Brandon Williams
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PA)
Brandon Williams is the youngest player on this list and United’s current stance is that they would only prefer to let the 20-year-old leave on loan.
However, Williams is very much United’s third-choice left-back, with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles both ahead of him for selection.
Southampton were rumoured to be interested in the Englishman, with Ryan Bertrand leaving the South coast earlier this window to join Leicester, but an injury to Telles may hold up any potential exit for Williams.
Williams has started all of United’s pre-season games this season, but is very much being used as cover for Luke Shaw for the time being.
After struggling for minutes last season, Williams could well consider that his future may lay elsewhere.
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