10 players who could leave Manchester United this summer

Manchester United players look dejected after Liverpool's goal [Reuters, Michael Regan]

Every time the transfer window rolls around, Manchester United are constantly linked to bringing in stars across the globe.

However, since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the wheel, it’s as much been a story of outgoings.

From Romelu Lukaku to Ander Herrera, plenty of former key players have departed Old Trafford under the Norweigan, as he looks to shape his own squad.

Progress has been made, but there are still a number of first-team Red Devils who could soon be packing their bags.

With that in mind, here are 10 players who could leave Manchester United this summer.

David De Gea

With Dean Henderson seemingly Solskjaer’s new no. 1, the four-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year appears to be closer to the exit door than the posts.

At 30, De Gea’s decline has been clear to see since the Baby-faced Assassin arrived as boss, following years of saving United’s skin post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

Although suitors are scarce, his reported £375,000-a-week wage weighs heavily on Ed Woodward and co, especially sitting on the bench.

The Europa League final against Villarreal in Poland this month could be the former Atletico Madrid stopper’s final outing.

Paul Pogba

It feels like ever since the Red Devils paid almost £100m to bring Pogba back to the Theatre of Dreams from Juventus, he’s been linked with a move away.

Real Madrid have reportedly been sniffing around for years, and talk of a return to Turin has always been on Italian lips.

Despite playing some of the best football of his United career over the last few months, agent Mino Raiola’s claim in December that ‘it was over’ for Pogba in Manchester is hard to ignore.

A hefty transfer fee would be healthy to Solskjaer’s kitty, but his departure would leave a hole in his current best starting XI and disappoint a large portion of the fan base.

Brandon Williams

Here’s another potential move with plenty of foundations.

Manchester United's Brandon Williams [Reuters, Michael Regan]

Academy product Williams broke through into the first team last season and was set to push Luke Shaw for his place at left-back this term.

However, the 2020/21 campaign heralded Alex Telles’ incoming, meaning minutes have been hard to come by for the tenacious 20-year-old.

Newcastle, Southampton and Brighton have all reportedly been interested in taking the Mancunian on loan (or maybe he just wants to live on the coast).

This could certainly happen this summer, as Williams aims to gain more regular game time.

Juan Mata

After almost 300 appearances for the club, David Moyes’ second signing at Old Trafford has slowly drifted away from the starting XI under OGS.

Often considered the nicest man in football, the 33-year-old unfortunately isn’t quite as nice to watch on the pitch anymore, with his lack of pace a problem in Solskjaer’s speedy side.

No-doubt a good presence in and around the club - with his work outside of the game and his organisation ‘Common Goal’ encapsulating his humble demeanour - Mata’s contract expires next month.

There is an option for another year but with Donny van de Beek being deployed in a similar role and young attackers being blooded, it’s difficult to see a future for Mata.

Nemanja Matic

Another much-loved man around Carrington who came from Chelsea, Matic is definitely more involved in the first team picture than his predecessor on this list.

Nevertheless, as shown by his sluggish error in last night’s 4-2 defeat at home to Liverpool, the Serbian isn’t the player he once was.

With young James Garner receiving acclaim on loan at Nottingham Forest and Scott McTominay and Fred being Solskjaer’s trusted central midfield pairing, another season on the peripheries may not be what Matic is after at 32.

Jose Mourinho’s Roma looks a sensible option with the slower pace of Serie A, but his current contract keeps him at the club until June 2023.

Whatever happens, he might get his hands on a first trophy for MUFC in Gdansk on May 26.

Jesse Lingard

West Ham's Jesse Lingard [Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP]

Already halfway out the door due to being on loan, Lingard’s resurgence at West Ham under Moyes has been a heartwarming sight, after the 28-year-old’s personal issues in recent years.

Beloved at the London Stadium thanks to his impact since January - directly contributing to 12 goals in 13 Premier League appearances - and seemingly becoming best mates with the likes of Declan Rice, the attacking midfielder appears to be enjoying his time in East London.

Likely to not be the only club interested, the Irons will have to move quickly come the opening of the transfer window to seal a deal.

Regardless, he’ll always be a fan favourite at the Theatre of Dreams.

Diogo Dalot

Currently having a steady season on loan at AC Milan despite not being first-choice at right or left-back, Dalot is another loanee destined for the exit door.

The Portuguese youth international never cemented himself in Solskjaer’s favoured United team during his first term, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival in the summer of 2019 was a stark sign of what the 48-year-old boss thought of the ex-Porto man.

Besides, the injury-prone Timothy Fosu-Mensah managed more Premier League starts than the 22-year-old last season.

Able to operate on either side of the defence, Calciomercato claim that Dalot is open to staying at the San Siro, and if Stefano Pioli sees him as part of his future plans, we can’t see why this move wouldn’t happen.

Andreas Pereira

Another Serie A loanee, the Brazilian has been more than a bit-part player for Lazio this campaign.

The 25-year-old recently admitted to TNT Sports that he ‘wouldn’t mind staying’ in the ‘wonderful’ Rome and feels appreciated at the Stadio Olimpico, hoping that his form can lead to a call-up to the Selecao national team for the 2022 World Cup next winter.

Having made over 30 appearances in all competitions in Italy, Pereira says he needs to speak with Solskjaer about leaving, so we might still see him back in Manchester next season.

Sergio Romero

The 34-year-old arrived ahead of the 2015/16 campaign amid De Gea’s Real Madrid transfer saga, and as no. 2 for the majority of his time, Romero has racked up a whopping 39 clean sheets in 61 appearances at Old Trafford (mostly in cup competitions).

Despite more decent performances before lockdown last season, he was surprisingly usurped by De Gea for the ultimately unsuccessful Europa League semi-final in 2020.

With Mourinho reportedly eyeing up the Argentine for his new Roma squad and Tom Heaton rumoured to be returning to the club, Romero’s time in the North West is more than likely up.

Lee Grant

We end with another stopper who has had to be patient throughout his time as a Red Devil.

Having been signed in the turbulent summer of 2018 to help fill the homegrown quota and take up somewhat of a coaching role in the goalkeeping department, Grant has made just two appearances for the club in almost three full terms.

Although his enthusiasm is clear to see, it might be enough for a new contract next month, and the veteran currently looks set to leave the club.