Man United have endured a generally miserable start to the new season as results ultimately haven’t been good enough across the board.
Their defeat in Europe at the hands of Fenerbahce led to this response from club legend Paul Scholes, who believes that it will take another couple of years before they have a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
Scholes insists @ManUtd‘s recent woes could continue for another two years until the squad is overhauled. #UEL #MUFC https://t.co/MJgX8ziS13
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) November 3, 2016
In light of that statement, we’ve taken a closer look at the current United squad and questioned which players who have featured already under Jose Mourinho have a future at Old Trafford and which should be sold at the earliest opportunity.
David de Gea – Keep
A world class goalkeeper who United should be looking to keep for many years to come.
Antonio Valencia – Keep
His energy and quality both defensively and from an attacking perspective make him a useful player to have. Not the long-term answer at right-back though.
Matteo Darmian – Keep
The Italian international is seemingly heading for the exit door, but this is a player who not so long ago was one of the best full-backs in Italy and a fixture for the Azzurri. Get the best out of him and he can play an important role.
Eric Bailly – Keep
Very impressive start to life in England so far this season. His injury is a setback, but he’s shown more than enough to suggest he can be a big player for United moving forward.
Phil Jones – Sell
Injuries have plagued him since moving to United and ultimately he’s not a reliable presence in the squad to warrant him staying.
Marcos Rojo – Sell
Not good enough defensively for a club like United and regardless of his versatility, has to go.
Chris Smalling – Keep
Been guilty of making some errors this season, but he showed under Louis van Gaal that he’s a quality defender.
Daley Blind – Keep
Still doubts over whether or not he should be played in central defence, but the Dutchman is a solid player to have in the squad and is technically gifted to fit in anywhere.
Luke Shaw – Keep
Falling short of expectations and needs to improve, but given his age and room for improvement, another one that should stay.
Paul Pogba – Keep
Hasn’t lived up to his price-tag as of yet, but provided Mourinho starts playing him where he’s most influential, has a big future ahead at United.
Morgan Schneiderlin – Sell
Rarely used this season and given the importance of the position he plays in, United need better options.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – Sell
The veteran midfielder could actually play an important role for United right now, but Mourinho has frozen him out since the summer and so there’s no real point making an argument for him to stay.
Marouane Fellaini – Sell
Not good enough for a club like United. Performed well at the start of the season, but in general he isn’t going to solve their issues.
Ander Herrera – Keep
Works hard and has quality on the ball, will be a more than useful player to keep at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick – Sell
Still shows how important he can be for United when he plays, but at 35, the club have to move on and look for a better and younger option.
Juan Mata – Keep
The expectation was that he would struggle under Mourinho given their history at Chelsea, but he’s turned it around and is another quality individual to have in the squad.
Jesse Lingard – Keep
Provided he continues to evolve and improve, he has a big future ahead for club and country.
Marcus Rashford – Keep
Not as impressive as last season, but like Lingard, he’s a massive part of United’s future if he can rediscover his best form.
Anthony Martial – Keep
Needs to snap out of this malaise that he’s in right now, as he hasn’t been anywhere near as effective as last season. However, another young talent to keep for many years to come.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Keep
Once Mourinho has decided to stop singling him out and just play him regularly before criticising him, will surely be a decisive figure in the final third in unlocking defences.
Ashley Young – Sell
Time to move on and not stick around at Old Trafford for the odd appearance here or there.
Memphis Depay – Sell
Hasn’t worked for the Dutchman since arriving last year, and with the competition for places as detailed above, a new challenge is needed.
Wayne Rooney – Sell
Provided a reminder of his quality against Fenerbahce with his goal, but isn’t really holding down a specific role and United have better options in the squad already. Sentimental side might say stay, but for good of club surely time to call time on his spell at Old Trafford.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sell
At 34 and with his current struggles, it looks more and more unlikely that his contract will be extended beyond this season. Time to go back to youth leading the line in the years ahead.