Solskjaer plans January clear-out as Man Utd exit tally could hit six

Solskjaer.Man_.Utd_.TEAMtalk1

Manchester United are planning to offload a number of first-team players in January in a bid to cut down their squad, according to a report.

The Sun claims that the Red Devils could ratify up to six exits in a mixture of permanent deals and loans.

Indeed, head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has faced questions in recent months about the futures of several fringe players in his squad.

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero is among them, with The Sun claiming that he is ‘all-but certain’ to leave. The Argentine came close to leaving on October’s deadline day but his move failed.

Everton showed interest back then but the newspaper does not report which clubs are now keen on him. Indeed, the Toffees went on to bring in Robin Olsen from Roma on loan.

Meanwhile, United are also looking to offload defender Phil Jones. The centre-back has struggled with injuries but he looks unlikely to earn game time should he prove his fitness.

West Brom are among the 28-year-old’s suitors. What’s more, he would not fall foul of the new Brexit regulations, which have already eaten into the Baggies’ transfer plans.

Fellow centre-back Marcos Rojo has yet to make a first-team appearance this season. Previous reports have linked him with a return to Argentina but Newcastle have also shown interest.

Left-back Brandon Williams is the only other exit – on loan – that United definitely want to happen. The 20-year-old is behind Luke Shaw and Alex Telles in the pecking order, which is harming his development.

As for who could snap him up, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen are supposedly leading the race.

Two more exits on the cards

Jesse Lingard Man Utd

Meanwhile, The Sun adds that Jesse Lingard and Daniel James could also leave Old Trafford.

Lingard is the more likely of the pair to leave after being frozen out under Solskjaer. James, meanwhile, has continued to play an important role of late, despite coming on from the bench.

Indeed, he added much-needed pace against last Friday as the Red Devils looked to kill off Aston Villa.

The report adds that United will try to sign a new player if one of their targets becomes available at the right price. However, there is a reluctance to spend amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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