Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Ed Woodward to sell these three players in the summer window.
Manchester United’s Interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested in the recruitment for the new season despite not being named on a permanent basis. The Norwegian International, who joined the club in December has made a drastic improvement by producing a string of consistent results to keep the Red Devils in the hunt for a top-four place.
Under his management, the youngsters, Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood have made first team appearances after breaking from the youth side. They played a pivotal role when Manchester United were in an injury crisis two weeks before, including the dramatic stoppage-time victory over Paris Saint Germain at Parc Des Princes.
The 46-year-old has reiterated that he will have his say for the transfers which could go through in the summer transfer window. But, the club are yet to make a decision on despite qualifying for the Quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in eight years. Ed Woodward is demanding consistency from the Norwegian to prove himself as the man for the club and a decision is likely to be taken after the conclusion of this season.
According to several reports, Kalidou Koulibaly, Kostas Manolas, Milan Skriniar, and Jadon Sancho are heading the shortlist for the Red Devils. On the other hand, they are ready to ship off some of their players and replace them with their the above mentioned big names in the summer transfer window.
The outgoing players are said to Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, and Alexis Sanchez, according to a report from the English publication Mirror. This news will not come as a surprise for the Red Devils faithful who are also expecting the same from the club.
Manchester United came to a conclusion by not offering a contract extension for Antonio Valencia. Ecuadorian International’s deal will be expiring this summer, and the right-back confirmed his departure from Old Trafford after a decade long service for the club on Twitter. The 34-year-old has been struggling to nail down a spot due to the recent injury which will see him leave as a free agent this summer.
Marcos Rojo has been pushed back to the pecking order by the other four-backs – Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, and Eric Bailly. The 29-year-old has made just three appearances this season which will force him to assess his options after this season. He was playing an integral part of Louis Van Gaal, but he has been largely unsuccessful under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Alexis Sanchez grabbed the headlines when he opted to sign for Manchester United over the rivals Manchester City in January 2018. The former Arsenal forward has failed to dazzle at Old Trafford after becoming the highest earner in the Premier League history. The Red Devils number 7 has made just 14 goal contributions, scoring 5 and assisting 9 from 41 appearances since the kick start of 2018. Solskjaer has been vocal about Sanchez’s necessity to step up his gear to save the Chileans career in England.
If Manchester United manage to sell Marcos Rojo and Alexis Sanchez, they will be able to clear hefty wages which will enhance them to spend more on a young player as the club plan to restructure the squad with a view on long-term. With the current scenario, the Red Devils will be eyeing to buy a center-back, right winger and a midfielder.
How Twitter reacted..
Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants 30-year-old Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, 29, and Ecuadorian full-back Antonio Valencia, 33, to leave the club this summer. (link:https://t.co/yHNOCOMICH)
— WinnersGoldenBet (@wGoldenBet) March 21, 2019
.@ManUtd interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants 30-year-old Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, 29, and Ecuadorian full-back Antonio Valencia, 33, to leave the club this summer. (Star)
— Premier League News (@BarclaysLeague) March 20, 2019
Reports suggest Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are looking to activate a £30m release clause for the centre-back.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2019
Solskjær: “I have a contract until June 30th. I know many people have asked when the new manager should be announced, but the club has said they will do it after the season, so we will see who it is.” #mulive [nrk]
— utdreport (@utdreport) March 20, 2019
WHAT’S NEXT?
Manchester United will face Watford at Old Trafford on March 30th as they prepare to fight for a place in the top four. The English outfit will face the reigning Spanish Champions Barcelona in the Champions League Quarterfinals.