Red Devils boss to decide on players’ futures.
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Manchester United’s new manager Louis van Gaal looks set to axe as many as five key first-team players from his squad after allowing them all a run in the team in their pre-season tour of the US, according to the Daily Mail.
The Dutchman is in his first season in charge at Old Trafford after taking on the difficult task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, and it is clear that big decisions will need to be made about a number of the club’s underperformers, who have been fighting for their futures in the club’s pre-season fixtures so far.
Some surprise names such as Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez impressed in United’s recent 3-1 win over Real Madrid, but could still be among those set for the chop under van Gaal, who has also been linked with several big-name signings to come in before the start of the new campaign.
Five main candidates to be sold have been named, and they are as follows:
5) Anderson
A real underachiever considering the potential he showed as a youngster, it is thought that Anderson is one of a number of players who has failed to impress van Gaal in pre-season so far. Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Fiorentina, a permanent transfer seems more than likely this summer.
4) Nani
A brilliant player on his day, but the frustratingly inconsistent Nani looks like being one of the names on van Gaal’s cull list as he nears an exit from Old Trafford this summer. The likes of Juventus have emerged as surprise contenders to sign the Portuguese international, despite him being far from his best for a few years now.
3) Javier Hernandez
A fine player on his day, but perhaps a slightly limited one despite his clinical touch in the penalty area. A host of clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, have been strongly linked with the Mexican international and it is perhaps not that surprising that with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck ahead of him in the pecking order, he also doesn’t feature in van Gaal’s plans for the new season.
2) Marouane Fellaini
Just one season after joining Manchester United, Marouane Fellaini seems an obvious candidate to be sold this summer after a highly disappointing run of form following his £27.5m move from Everton. The Belgian international has been targeted by Napoli this summer and is looking increasingly likely to be shown the door by van Gaal.
1) Shinji Kagawa
Having starred in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, it is a shame that Shinji Kagawa could not replicate his best form in a Manchester United shirt, and his time may now be up as van Gaal wields the axe. The Japanese international has been linked with Atletico Madrid and seems unlikely to have a long-term future at Old Trafford.