A summer of change ahead at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag is now officially in charge of Manchester United and the former Ajax manager has a lot of work on his hands this summer alone in order to turn around the fortunes of the English giants.

Having seen rivals Manchester City and Liverpool duke it out along with Chelsea for the major honours, United floundered once more this season, finishing in sixth place with a goal difference of zero.

The Reds suffered one final defeat on the last day, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace which meant they only clinched Europa League qualification due to West Ham’s defeat at Brighton.

There is now a large disconnect between the supporters and the players, something which may ease with the new manager coming in and several players out of contract.

Fans would happily see the back of most of the current squad but the reality is not so simple for Ten Hag, with many United players on high wages which means they may be difficult to shift.

Something that could become a blessing for the new manager is someone making a big money move for Dean Henderson. Henderson is too good to be playing back up at his age and will surely be eyeing a move for first-team football. Newcastle have been linked and this could boost whatever transfer warchest is available.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another who looks destined to move on. The 24-year-old struggled badly last season and lacks the necessary skills in attacking areas that managers want in the modern full-back. United will struggle to get anywhere near the £50 million spent when he was signed from Crystal Palace, so a heavy loss may have to be made.

Alex Telles has struggled this season and is expected to depart, with a return to Porto being mooted.

Harry Maguire has come in for no end of criticism this season while Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have looked less than steady alongside their captain. The problem though has often been that United’s set up has left the defenders open, exposing their flaws as no protection from midfield was offered.

United have been crying out for a defensive midfielder for a while now and it really should be the main priority. Fred made improvements this season but neither he nor Scott McTominay are on the same level as Rodri, Fabinho or N’Golo Kante.

Paul Pogba will be the most notable departure this summer, with his contract expiring imminently. The Frenchman had divided the fanbase for years but it seems as if everyone is of the opinion that it is time to move on. Neither party is benefiting from the relationship anymore.

Jesse Lingard is another who is set to depart on a free, with the England international being linked with a return to West Ham United where he spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan. Not allowing a permanent departure last summer was another in a litany of mistakes from the United hierarchy.

Juan Mata will also leave on a free, with the Spaniard offered a fond farewell during the final home game against Brentford.

Edinson Cavani was a bit of a hero to many supporters due to his strong work ethic but it has become clear the Uruguayan is moving on, having barely played in the final few months of this campaign.

Anthony Martial is another who will likely join him, unless Ten Hag sees a future from the former Monaco man who struggled on loan at Sevilla in the second half of this season.

Those are the most likely departures this summer but it would be no surprise if anyone in the squad was sold, such was the malaise that set in during the season just gone.

Ten Hag will sign reinforcements and will surely improve a team that looked listless under interim manager Ralf Rangnick. To what extent though depends on the work done off the field as much as the work on the training ground.

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