Transfer Centre

Jadon Sancho, Harry Maguire 'among 15 Manchester United players facing axe this summer'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 21 April 2023

Sancho, Maguire 'among 15 Man United players facing axe this summer'

Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a summer clearout with Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire among 15 players who could be facing the axe.

Erik ten Hag is expected to be backed in the upcoming transfer window as the Red Devils endeavour to challenge for trophies on all fronts next season, with significant improvements to be targeted in both the Premier League and in Europe.

United's summer transfer budget is believed to be unknown amid uncertainty regarding the ownership of the club, with the Glazer family currently in talks over a possible sale.

Nevertheless, the 20-time English top-flight champions will likely need to cash in on a number of players to generate funds for new recruits ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

A recent report claims that Man United are ready to offload at least five first-team players this summer, but The Guardian reports that the futures of as many as 15 players are in doubt at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire reacts on January 3, 2023 © Reuters

However, the reports states that United do not intend to sanction the sale of all 15 players whose futures are at risk, as Ten Hag looks to balance the departure of fringe and unwanted players with recruiting new stars to maintain the required squad depth.

Red Devils duo Sancho and Maguire are said to lead the list of possible outgoings along with the likes of Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Fred.

Sancho arrived at Old Trafford two seasons ago for around £75m, but the 23-year-old winger is yet to reach the heights expected, contributing with just 10 goals and five assists in 69 appearances across all competitions.

Maguire, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Ten Hag, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both preferred to start at centre-back when fit.

The 30-year-old captain, who joined United from Leicester City for £80m in 2019, has started just seven Premier League games this term and has been strongly linked with an exit this summer.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on April 2, 2023 © Reuters

Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga, Brandon Williams and Phil Jones are also said to be facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford, along with Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe and Hannibal Mejbri, who are all currently out on loan.

First-choice goalkeeper David de Gea, who endured a miserable night in United's 3-0 quarter-final second-leg loss to Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday, is also at risk of leaving the club as his contract is due to expire this summer.

However it is understood that the 32-year-old is close to reaching an agreement with the Red Devils over a contract extension, with Ten Hag willing to keep the Spaniard as his No.1 while he prioritises the search for a new centre-forward and midfielder.

Ten Hag will also consider whether United should pursue permanent moves for Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, who will see their loan spells from Bayern Munich and Burnley respectively expire at the end of the season.

Man United's transfer business will likely depend on whether they qualify for next season's Champions League, and they are currently in a strong position to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League as they sit third in the table, six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who have played a game more.