Merciless Man Utd tipped to sell 10 players including forward who ‘crumbles’ and £30m star whose transfer Newcastle are ‘pushing’ through

A Man Utd reporter has claimed the club’s first-team exits could hit double figures this summer, and Erik ten Hag has been urged to show no mercy to 10 players including a forward who ‘crumbles’ and a midfielder wanted by Newcastle.

The scale of Man Utd’s summer transfer budget will in some part be determined by whether the Glazer family stay or go. If the unpopular Americans sell to Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, the purse strings are likely to be loosened for their respective first window at the helm.

However, in the event the Glazers retain their grip, the Telegraph are among many who’ve claimed United must sell well before they can buy big.

To that end, a scathing report from the Manchester Evening News has claimed the first-team exits could reach as high as 10 if Ten Hag is to sign the calibre of player he craves.

A new centre-forward is wanted, with top targets Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen likely to cost around the £100m mark if signed.

Elsewhere, a permanent move for impressive loanee Marcel Sabitzer could be explored. An attacking upgrade at right-back is wanted, while a new centre-half could be required if the out of favour Harry Maguire is sold.

To that end, the MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst listed 10 players Man Utd could ruthlessly axe this summer. Some on the list barely feature for United or are currently out on loan. Others are at Old Trafford right now and are doing little to suggest they should be retained.

The 10 players in question are as follows: Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson, Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Brandon Williams and Alex Telles, Midfielders: Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay, Forwards: Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga.

Who could and should Man Utd sell?

Henderson is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest and appears to have no future back in Manchester. David de Gea is poised to sign a new contract, with ESPN reporting many aspects of the deal are already ‘finalised’.

Wan-Bissaka has shone since the World Cup break, though remains painfully limited going forward.

Luckhurst claimed Ten Hag is seeking to add more attacking threat from the position – potentially through signing Jeremie Frimpong – and Wan-Bissaka would be axed ahead of Diogo Dalot.

Maguire is no longer a regular starter for United, while Bailly will be fifth choice at best once his loan at Marseille concludes. An obligation to buy for Marseille could have been triggered if Bailly had hit an appearance target, though he’ll reportedly fall short.

Williams’ desperate plea for a chance to shine has fallen on deaf ears. Fellow left-back Telles will be back in Manchester once his loan at Sevilla expires. With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia on the books, neither Williams or Telles are required.

Van de Beek’s entire tenure at Old Trafford has been forgettable in the extreme. However, the most surprising exit could come in the form of fellow midfielder, Scott McTominay. Luckhurst claimed either he or Fred could be axed, but McTominay would generate both a higher fee and stronger interest.

The Scotland international, 26, is in the prime of his career, though isn’t a regular starter for Ten Hag.

Newcastle are showing interest in the combative midfielder who Eddie Howe reportedly sees as the perfect player to complete a midfield trio involving Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.

Football Insider recently stated Newcastle are ‘pushing ahead’ with a move for McTominay this summer. Luckhurst added a £30m bid could be enough to seal a deal.

Elsewhere, Anthony Elanga is way down the pecking order and competition for his place in the form of Alejandro Garnacho has just put pen to paper on a new deal.

Fellow forward Anthony Martial cannot stay fit and hasn’t completed a full Premier League match for Man Utd since January 2021.

Luckhurst concluded Martial ‘crumbles’ when faced with stiff competition and an elite-level striker is United’s number one priority in the transfer market this summer.

With Martial’s contract due to expire at the end of next season, a sale this summer makes perfect sense.

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