Solskjaer’s rebuild may need a rebuild: Assessing Manchester United’s squad problems

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Much has been made of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having to rebuild Manchester United’s squad after Jose Mourinho was fired.

And there has been plenty of change in terms of personnel. But almost three years since Solskjaer came to the club, another rebuild could be required.

To make it worse, United are no closer to getting back on track. The team sit in sixth position, the same position the team were placed in December 2018 when Jose Mourinho was fired

Jesse Lingard’s reported desire to leave United [BBC] is symptomatic of a squad which needs a makeover come the end of the season.

Lingard might be replaceable, but United can’t replace everybody. Here is a look at the squad challenges facing the club.

Goalkeeper

Two into one won’t go. One of David de Gea and Dean Henderson will need to leave, and the Spaniard is probably unsellable on his high wages.

Henderson has been touted for an 18-month loan move by The Sun. This could be the best case scenario. When he returns, De Gea will have just one year left on his deal.

In the meantime, United can get some use out of Tom Heaton as a back-up, who currently seems like a spare part. Lee Grant will also leave.

Defence

There is likely to be some turnover here. Back-up full-backs Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot are unlikely to stay content with their roles.

United have to choose whether to sign experienced alternatives like Kieran Trippier, or turn to youth, with Ethan Laird and Alvaro Fernandez.

Eric Bailly is unlikely to stay happy with his role as fourth choice. He recently extended his contract, but United could look to sell him next summer and sign a younger defender. Phil Jones will also finally depart.

Midfield

This is where Manchester United already needed big improvements, before the changes which are likely to come.

Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard all have expiring contracts and are set to leave as free agents as it stands.

Barring a turnaround in fortune, Donny van de Beek is also unhappy with his lack of playing time, The Telegraph report, and could seek a move to rejuvenate his World Cup hopes.

United needed one midfield player at least, already, and that was before these likely departures come into effect.

Attack

United are well stocked in attack, but there is one big departure expected, with Edinson Cavani’s contract expiring.

Anthony Martial has barely figured this season, and The Times reports he is at a crossroads in his career and could look to leave.

Changes are coming

So with Cavani, Lingard, Mata, and Pogba looking certain to leave, possibly joined by Van de Beek, Henderson, Dalot, Martial and perhaps Bailly, United are going to have major squad reconstruction to do.

Part of this is down to the poor way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has managed his squad players, and some of it is just happenstance in terms of when players’ contract expire.

Some of it is because situations like Cavani’s were just kicked down the line, rather than seeking out a long term option.

Either way, there seems to be no escaping the fact that this squad is going to need reshaping, if not rebuilding.

Factor in the potential of a new manager coming in with fresh ideas, and already established players who may not be in favour, and it seems we could be in for another year of change.

All that does is set United up into further rebuild mode. Going into 2022/23, the plan was for Solskjaer’s United to be ready to compete for the title. Right now this appears to be a long way off.

If Solskjaer leaves next summer, he will leave behind a squad still desperately short in midfield, with gaps up front and at the back.

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