It is time to rebuild and Manchester United have a huge job ahead. Instead of a few minor tweaks, a massive overhaul is required, and this means letting go of players who no longer want to be at the club.
It’s too early to accurately project a starting XI for next season, there are simply too many unanswered questions right now.
So let’s look at it another way. How many players are truly guaranteed a starting spot in Manchester United’s team for the first day of the 2022/23 season, regardless of who is manager?
Looking at United’s squad, there are only two players who should be locked in as starters for the next campaign. Everything else is up for grabs.
Varane and Sancho deserve spots
United spent big money on Jadon Sancho and over the past couple of months he has been showing why. In the win over Tottenham he created four chances, and has goals against City and Chelsea to his name already this season.
Just 21, Sancho is an exciting talent who is just scratching the surface of his potential, and he is a player United can build around. He is a surefire starter next season, and his ability to play on both flanks gives the club some flexibility in terms of choosing who will line up on the other side.
In Raphael Varane, United have a proven winner in central defence. But the club have not found or settled upon his best partner yet. It’s not Harry Maguire, and it is likely another new signing will come in.
Every other position up for debate
There are two other positions where the answer is ‘maybe’. Those are goalkeeper David de Gea and Bruno Fernandes. But there are question marks over both, dependent on the new manager.
De Gea is an excellent goalkeeper with limitations. His shot saving is excellent, but he also struggles in other areas. He ranks 19th out of 20 for passes completed of 40 yards or more in the Premier League this season [FBRef], and 20th for number of crosses claimed, with just seven all season. He also ranks 20th for the number of successful defensive actions outside the box, with just six, in comparison to 41 from Liverpool’s Alisson.
United’s next manager should at least entertain moving in a different direction if he wishes. De Gea has been part of the furniture at Old Trafford for a long time now, and the definition of insanity of trying the same thing all over again. His place should not be guaranteed.
The other player who came close to making the side is Bruno Fernandes. His production has been insanely good over the past two and a half seasons. But this number 10 position is a crucial one to get right, and there are dozens of exciting attacking players who could perform there, including potential signing Christian Nkunku.
Elsewhere, it is less controversial. United need one new centre-back, and neither full-back position have a guaranteed starter, with lots of chopping and changing this season after Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw took backwards steps. Shaw most probably will start next season, but he has to prove himself.
Midfield has long been United’s problem area, and there could be a couple of new signings next season here, while James Garner will return from loan. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are likely to leave.
Up front United need a new, young striker regardless of what Cristiano Ronaldo does, who will compete with the veteran if he stays. Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford will compete for other wide forward spots, but it is very possible a winger comes in, with Ajax’s Antony among the names mentioned.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
