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Manchester United are open to selling nearly every player on their books as INEOS begins their rebuild but who are the stars that they should not put on the market?
Reports in the English media have suggested Manchester United are planning to sell nearly all of their squad as they bid to start the rebuilding phase.
United have experienced a difficult campaign that will see them miss out on Champions League football next season following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Burney that meant a top four finish is now impossible.
While the future of manager Erik ten Hag is still up in the air, it has now emerged that the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-led INEOS plans a total squad overhaul with the club open to offers for every other player apart from youngsters Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.
However, while this is the desire, it might not materialise and there could be a number that will stay even if the club wants to move them on.
But who really deserves to stay at the Red Devils as INEOS begins its reign in the summer?
Kobbie Mainoo
The 19-year-old is among those considered untouchable and there is every reason why. Mainoo has enjoyed a fine breakout season but a lot has been placed on his young shoulders.
In what has been a chaotic midfield this season, Mainoo has provided some composure and calmness with his energy and intelligence there for everyone to see.
He will need better players around him from next season to maximise his potential and a new deal is already being prepared to tie him to Old Trafford for a long time.
Alejandro Ganarcho
Started every game since November 1 and has chipped in with great goals and top performances. Garnacho is major talent but injuries and poor form of other forwards has seen him overplayed which has led to a dip in output, which is expected for a 19-year-old.
The academy graduate offers the pace and power that United fans crave and he can only get better as he develops.
Rasmus Hojlund
Another of the untouchables, Hojlund still has much to prove but the Denmark striker has plenty of potential.
Hojlund has 14 goals in all competitions this season, making him the second highest scorer at the club, but he could have had more were it not for his Premier League drought that lasted until December and injuries.
The 20-year-old also needs good players around him who can give him the right service since he has been making good runs but his team-mates rarely find him.
Lisandro Martinez
Licha as he is popularly known is the only quality defender on United’s books at the moment and he is the kind of player they need due to his aggression, intelligence and quality on the ball.
Sorely missed after an injury plagued 2023-24 campaign although United really need him to stay fit going forward and with a quality right-sided centre-back besides him, they can form a great partnership at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence.
Bruno Fernandes
United’s talisman and captain continues to show his importance to the team not just with his top performances but his availability.
Fernandes rarely misses a United game through injury which makes him reliable and has backed that up with impressive numbers.
He is the club’s top scorer with 15 goals this season and has created the most chances in the Premier League, even if his team-mates are not taking them.
Whether it is Ten Hag or someone else is charge next season, he must build the team around the Portuguese playmaker.
Andre Onana
At the start of the season, the Cameroon goalkeeper might not have made the list but he has since turned a corner after an error-filled spell at the beginning of his United career.
Onana cost United points early in the season as well as in the Champions League but in 2024, he has been among the handful of United’s star performers.
With United facing many shots due to their underwhelming displays in midfield and defence, Onana has come up trumps and saved the team the blushes on a number of occasions.
Onana was signed to help United build from the back but while injuries and the team’s poor structure have not allowed him to display this quality consistently, he will be crucial in this aspect with a good team in place.
Diogo Dalot
While United have many shortcomings in both full-back areas, Dalot has been one of their most consistent performers this season and he is also a good character.
The Portuguese has also been available the entire campaign with his solid defensive performances coming in handy.
His ability to play both at right and left-back also makes him an asset that United should not let go.
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