Which players will Louis van Gaal be waving goodbye to come the end of the season…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned his players that their futures are on their line, and that they must sufficiently impress him between now and the end of the season if they wish to remain at Old Trafford.
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Louis Van Gaal Insists His Entire Man United Squad Are Playing for Their Old Trafford Futures
Despite having only been in charge for seven months, Van Gaal has already dispatched Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Wilfried Zaha, while Javier Hernandez and Nani are among those to have been loaned out.
The Dutchman, who is quoted by the Daily Mirror, will not be stopping there it seems. He said: “I think all of them are playing for their future and all of them are aware of that. They know they have to perform. Not just in the matches, but also on the training pitch.
“It always has to be 100 per cent. Maybe a lot of players were not aware of that – but now they know. It is not easy for me [to make tough decisions] because I know that most of my players are trying to do their utmost best.
“When you see that as a manager, then it is very hard to say to someone ‘you have to go’.”
While Van Gaal’s comments imply that everyone is at risk, it’s hard to see the likes of Angel di Maria or Wayne Rooney being flogged in the summer. Here are ten United players that we think are legitimately at risk:
10) Ashley Young
The 29-year-old has featured 14 times for United this season. While he has surprised his critics with the quality of his performances, he remains low on the Old Trafford pecking order, and Van Gaal will likely be pleased to be rid of the high wages.
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9) Juan Mata
The Spaniard has had to battle for his first-team place throughout the season following the summer arrivals of Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria, which left attacking roles at a premium. His six goals in 22 games so far this season represent a decent return, but he needs to do a little more to make himself safe.
8) Adnan Januzaj
Van Gaal has seen little of the Belgian’s potential during his time at the club. If he doesn’t see something between now and the end of the season, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could choose to cash in.
7) Jonny Evans
Evans has struggled with both form and fitness so far this season. At 27, United hoped he would emerge as their senior defender, spreading confidence through the rest of the team, but he’s struggled to live up to expectations thus far.
6) Rafael
The Brazilian has managed just ten first team appearances so far this season, and hasn’t played in the Premier League since New Year’s Day. At 24, time is running out for him to fulfil the potential Sir Alex Ferguson saw in him.
5) Marouane Fellaini
The powerful Belgian has done better under Van Gaal than he did David Moyes, but he still has much work to do if he’s to ever justify his near £30m price tag. His new found battering ram qualities might see him kept around.
4) Radamel Falcao
The victim of high expectations perhaps – the Colombian has struggled for form this season, even after successfully fighting his way back to full fitness. His four goals so far this season will have done little to convince Van Gaal to make his loan move permanent next season.
3) Chris Smalling
Simply hasn’t been good enough this season, often being exposed as something of a liability at the back. He’s managed just 16 appearances in all competitions thus far, while his costly red card proved decisive in the Manchester derby defeat back in November.
2) Phil Jones
Another defender, another United player failing to live up to expectations. Like Smalling and Evans, he’s failed to make the step up since the departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra last summer.
1) Robin van Persie
The arrival of his former international boss has done little to inspire a turnaround in fortunes for the Dutch striker, who has again struggled to match the success of his first season at Old Trafford, scoring just nine times so far in the current campaign.