Red Devils boss wields the axe in six-player clearout.
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Manchester United’s new manager Louis van Gaal is thought to be preparing to sell as many as six first-team regulars from his squad before the end of the summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The Dutchman has had some time to assess his squad in pre-season, and has now settled on six names to be cleared out before the end of the transfer window in a bid to raise transfer funds for some of the club’s ambitious big-name targets.
With United underperforming badly last season as they finished 7th in the Premier League, it is all too clear that there are too many passengers in the squad at Old Trafford, and van Gaal has shown he means business as he looks to rid himself of a high number of under-performers.
It remains to be seen if the new head coach will be successful in selling each of these six individuals, but if he does, it is estimated that it could bring in a profit of around £67m for the club.
6) Marouane Fellaini (£20m)
Last summer’s big-money signing from Everton, Marouane Fellaini looks set to make a quick exit from Manchester United after a highly disappointing first season at Old Trafford. The Belgian international is supposedly wanted by Napoli, and United will hope not to make too much of a loss on the player as they aim to bring in around £20m for his signature. There should be some takers, with Fellaini proving to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Everton, even if he hasn’t managed to make the step up at United.
5) Javier Hernandez (£10m)
Once considered an exciting young striker, Javier Hernandez hasn’t really improved since arriving at Manchester United, and finds himself fourth choice upfront due to a lack of all-round ability to go with his sharp instincts in the penalty area. A host of clubs are interested in him, however, and it could be that he will find a new club soon enough as the likes of Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are linked with him. Valued at around £12m, it is claimed that United expect he will leave for closer to £10m.
4) Anderson (£5m)
A real disappointment after the promise shown in his early years at United, Anderson is up for sale for just £5m this summer, with few clubs showing an interest in the Brazilian flop. Having made the loan move to Fiorentina for the second half of last season, he has failed to take the chance to impress with regular first-team football and may prove difficult to shift now.
3) Nani (£12m)
Still rated highly by a number of clubs as the likes of Arsenal and Juventus chase him, Nani could bring in around £12m this summer after failing to impress Louis van Gaal in pre-season so far. The Portuguese international was once one of the best wingers in the Premier League, and may benefit from moving on to a new challenge. If United are successful in bringing in big-name targets such as Angel Di Maria or Juan Cuadrado, it is hard to see where Nani will fit into the side.
2) Shinji Kagawa (£10m)
Another keenly anticipated signing that failed to work out, Shinji Kagawa simply hasn’t done it at Manchester United since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund back in the 2012/13 season. The classy Japanese playmaker has had his injury troubles at Old Trafford, but still hasn’t taken his chances when they’ve come his way, leaving van Gaal to put him up for sale for just £10m. Atletico Madrid are said to be interested, and a return to his old club Borussia Dortmund also seems likely.
1) Wilfried Zaha (£10m)
Although United would prefer to loan out English prospect Wilfried Zaha, it may be that a bid of around £10m would persuade them to part company with the former Crystal Palace man. Despite looking like a terrific prospect upon arrival at Old Trafford, Zaha has barely featured in the side and didn’t impress in a loan spell with Cardiff City in the second half of last season either. The likes of West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United are said to be the main contenders to sign him.