Manchester United 'open to January offers for unwanted trio'

Manchester United are allegedly open to parting ways with three of their fringe players before the end of the January transfer window.

The Red Devils are enjoying a much-improved season under Erik ten Hag, recently recording five successive wins in the Premier League to move one point adrift of second position.

However, efforts to strengthen the squad during the current period are said to be restricted, with loan arrivals the preferred option.

Wout Weghorst has already signed from Burnley on a temporary basis, shortly after Jack Butland completed a switch from Crystal Palace via the same method.

As it stands, it is unclear whether United will continue to be active before the end of the month, but it appears that outgoings are a possibility.

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According to Football Insider, Tom Heaton, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are all free to leave over the next two weeks.

With Butland arriving to replace Martin Dubravka who has returned to Newcastle United, Heaton has been temporarily regarded as second choice behind David de Gea.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old's solitary first-team outing this campaign was in the EFL Cup quarter-finals last week, keeping a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic.

Meanwhile, Tuanzebe and Jones have failed to make a single appearance all season, owing to injury and being no higher than fifth in the pecking order.

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Since a loan deal with Aston Villa was cut short at the start of 2022, Tuanzebe has only made one start and one substitute outing, both coming on loan at Napoli.

Meanwhile, despite battling back from a long-term absence to make five appearances during the second half of 2022-23, Jones has not represented United since the beginning of May.

Each of the trio's contracts expire in the summer and there is little to no chance of either of the three being offered renewals.

That is despite United possessing 12-month options, and bids are now allegedly being invited for all three players over the next two weeks in an effort to reduce the wage bill.