Manchester United are unlikely to make any new signings during the January transfer window, but the club are believed to be open to trimming their squad for the remainder of the campaign.
With Ralf Rangnick due to step down as interim manager this summer, the club's winter business, in terms of incomings, will be minimal, but a host of players have been linked with exits in the coming weeks.
The team will be challenging on three fronts in the second half of the 2021-22 season, competing in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, but Rangnick has inherited a large squad, and there are a number of first-team players coming to the end of their time at Old Trafford.
Here, Sports Mole picks out four players who could potentially leave the 20-time English champions during the January transfer window.
Anthony Martial
© Reuters
Anthony Martial has informed Man United that he wants to leave the club this month, and Rangnick has revealed that the Frenchman will not be considered for selection while his future is unclear.
The 26-year-old has only scored once in 10 appearances for the Red Devils this season, but he has netted 79 goals and registered 50 assists in 268 outings for the club in total, and there is no doubting his quality.
Sevilla have been linked with a loan move for the France international but are seemingly not prepared to cover his full wages, and Rangnick recently suggested that the club had not yet received a suitable offer for the attacker, making the situation difficult when it comes to a January exit.
Both parties are seemingly keen to part ways before the end of the month, though, and it would be a surprise if he remained at the club for the second half of the 2021-22 campaign considering the current situation.
Jesse Lingard
© Reuters
Jesse Lingard is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer and unless something drastic happens, he will be leaving the club in search of pastures new.
The 29-year-old starred on loan at West Ham United in the second half of last season and continues to be linked with a return to the London Stadium; Lingard recently dropped a hint that he could be heading back to the Hammers, although Everton and Newcastle United have also been linked with a move.
The England international has actually scored two Premier League goals for the Red Devils this season, netting off the bench against both Newcastle and West Ham, but he has only played 87 minutes of league football during the 2021-22 campaign.
Having not been involved since the win over Arsenal at the start of December, Lingard does not appear to have a future with the 20-time English champions, but there will be plenty of takers for him.
Donny van de Beek
© Reuters
Donny van de Beek has played just 67 minutes of Premier League football for Man United this season and has been an unused substitute in his side's last three league outings against Newcastle United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 24-year-old's fortunes have not changed under Rangnick, but the club's interim boss recently said that he wants to keep hold of the midfielder for the rest of the season.
Van de Beek remains seriously out of favour at Old Trafford, though, and needs regular football if he is to secure a spot in the Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Man United are seemingly not interested in letting the Dutchman leave on loan this month but could be tempted by a big-money offer for a player who has never been given the opportunity to show his quality at the club.
Juan Mata
© Reuters
Like Lingard, Juan Mata's contract at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of June, and the Spaniard will not be signing an extension with the 20-time English champions.
The 33-year-old has not played a single minute of Premier League football this season, with two of his three appearances coming in the Champions League.
Mata has been a brilliant servant for the club, making 276 appearances in all competitions, contributing 51 goals and 47 assists, but he has not been an important player for quite some time.
Real Sociedad are believed to be interested in signing the playmaker, who could potentially be allowed to leave Old Trafford for free this month, but a number of other clubs are also keeping a close eye on the situation.
Matt Law
