04 February 2023 , 11:19
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Manchester United are preparing for a big-money fire sale - with Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay leading a summer squad churn.
Fuelled by the imminent announcement of new investors with the Glazer family’s £6 billion sale of the club said to be gathering pace boss Erik ten Hag is already drawing up his strategy for a busy summer.
And the ruthless Dutch boss Ten Hag is ready to make space for big new arrivals by ditching the trio as he moves forward with plans to make United a force again.
Joining them will be on-loan first teamers Alex Telles and Eric Bailly as well as disappointing midfielder Donny van de Beek as Ten Hag follows through with his plan to re-shape the Old Trafford squad and recruit his own stars.
When he took the job last summer ten Hag told United’s board he needed at least two and possibly three summer windows to execute his vision to bring major trophies back to the club.
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Ten Hag has targeted a striker, central defender and a dynamic midfielder with the hope he’ll be able to offer his new signings Champions League football next season.
And that will spell the end for club captain and England star Maguire, 30 next month, who joined in an £80 million switch from Leicester in 2019, a world record fee for a defender.
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Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly are miles down Erik ten Hag's defensive pecking order (Getty Images)With World Cup winners Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez Ten Hag’s chosen first choice central defenders, Maguire’s role has been reduced to that of a bit-part player.
And United believe the time is right to cut Maguire loose with the player also recognising he needs to move on to safeguard his international career.
French striker Martial hasn’t convinced Ten Hag he’s the striker to lead United’s attack and the club would look to off-load him in the summer - particularly if they decide Mason Greenwood can be reintegrated into their squad.
Donny van de Beek is currently injured but is deemed surplus to requirementsMcTominay has been the midfielder to suffer the most since the arrival of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with the Scotland star largely used as a substitute.
That’s disappointed the 26-year-old academy product - but there will be no shortage of takers with West Ham keen on the United star should Declan Rice leave this summer.
Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa could also be destinations for McTominay with Ten Hag set to take a hard-line approach with some players this summer.