Four big names up for sale in squad overhaul, including two crowd favourites.Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could risk the wrath of his supporters with the decision to allow four big-name players to leave the club in the near future in a bid to continue his overhaul of the squad at Old Trafford.
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Manchester United XI with Radamel Falcao.
The Red Devils have undergone a major rebuilding process since the Dutchman’s arrival, with established names such as Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Nani, and Tom Cleverley being offloaded this summer after experienced duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand also left on free transfers.
Meanwhile, numerous new faces have come in this summer, with big money being spent on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind – and the changes don’t appear to be ending there.
With United looking highly vulnerable defensively this season, van Gaal now wants to raise around £91m in transfer funds to bring in big names such as Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels and Atletico Madrid stopper Miranda, as well as other signings further up the pitch.
These players will not come cheap, and United will now look to offload some big names, including two fan favourites in the near future to bring in enough money to continue revamping the squad.
The four players are as follows:
4) Juan Mata
Expected to fetch around £24m, Juan Mata has been linked with a move to Juventus this January, while Atletico Madrid and AS Roma could also be interested in the Spanish playmaker. Mata has not been at his best since making the move to Old Trafford from Chelsea last January, and van Gaal appears to favour the likes of Di Maria and Wayne Rooney in the attacking midfield positions that he can fill. With Arturo Vidal and Kevin Strootman also top targets for the Red Devils, it could be that Mata will be used in swap deals for either of these players.
3) Robin van Persie
Not a regular for United so far this season, Robin van Persie’s injury problems may be coming back to haunt him as he enters the twilight years of his career. Real Madrid and Barcelona have recently been linked with the Dutchman, and United may now be ready to jump at the chance to sell him while they can, in an expected £20m deal. This may not go down well with the fans, who have warmed greatly to van Persie since his decision to join the club in a controversial move from rivals Arsenal.
2) Antonio Valencia
Once a key player for United, Antonio Valencia no longer looks up to the task at Old Trafford and could be offloaded in the near future to any interested club that comes along. The Ecuadorian winger has failed to convince in his new role as a wing-back this season, and simply doesn’t fit into Louis van Gaal’s system. Galatasaray and a number of Spanish clubs are thought to be interested in Valencia, who could move for around £12m.
1) Adnan Januzaj
Another controversial decision, but United may be ready to listen to offers for exciting youngster Adnan Januzaj after recent developments. The Belgian teenager, widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in Europe, has fallen out of favour under van Gaal this season and wants to leave for first-team football. Although the Red Devils would ideally like to loan him out, Juventus are said to be ready to pay as much as £35m for the 19-year-old, which could persuade United to let him go as they have plenty of other options in his position. Money raised from the sales of Januzaj and Mata could also allow the club to sign big-name midfield targets such as Vidal, Strootman or Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado, and perhaps even help fund a sensational return for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo next summer.