With Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford set to officially get underway next weekend when Manchester United travel to Ipswich, the Portuguese tactician has plenty of exceptions on his shoulders.
While the Red Devils might have found a minor boost under the guidance of interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Premier League giants are still scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the table.
Although there might have been plenty of speculation over the past fortnight regarding who could be on Amorim’s transfer wishlist, much of the focus is on who will be heading for the Old Trafford exit.
Despite reports that United are desperate to get the likes of Brazilian winger Antony off their bumper wage bill, a number of first-team superstars are in the final months of their current deals.
Ahead of what could be a hugely important start to Amorim’s tenure in charge, we have taken a look at the Manchester United superstars who could be set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer.
Harry Maguire
While Harry Maguire might have arrived at Old Trafford back in the summer of 2019 for what was a world record fee of £80million, it is no secret that things haven’t panned out how the England international had hoped.
Drastically struggling to find any kind of stability in the red half of Manchester, the former Leicester defender was stripped of the captaincy last year by Erik ten Hag and it appeared almost certain that the 31-year-old was going to be pushed out of the exit.
However, although Maguire might have eventually stayed put at Old Trafford last year following serious interest from West Ham, the 64-cap international has once again drastically struggled to find any kind of stability.
Along with making just a single Premier League start since the end of August, Maguire is still dealing with a recent muscle injury and has not featured across any front over the past six weeks.
While United might have the option to extended Maguire’s contract by a further 12 months, summer recruit Leny Yoro is inching towards a first-team debut and it is hard to see how the one-time Sheffield United starlet will feature under Amorim.
Amad Diallo
Although Manchester United might have gained a reputation for their inconsistencies in the final third so far this season, Amad Diallo has certainly been one of the real positives from Old Trafford.
While the Ivory Coast international might have initially failed to make any kind of impact after completing a shock £18million move from Atalanta back in January 2021, Diallo has quickly blossomed into one of United’s key young stars.
Despite being left frustrated at the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, the 22-year-old bagged a stellar Europa League brace against Greek outfit PAOK on November 7th and it appears that the former Sunderland loanee is starting to find his grove at Old Trafford.
However, although fans around the red half of Manchester might be calling on Diallo to be given more of a chance from the start, the six-cap international has entered the final months of his current deal.
Although it might be unsurprising that the Old Trafford hierarchy have made Diallo’s contract talks as one of their top priorities, he is yet to officially put pen to paper on a new deal and it has been suggested that plenty of European heavyweights are keeping a close eye on proceedings.
Christian Eriksen
While Christian Eriksen might have returned from a minor injury issue prior to November’s International break, it appears almost certain that the Denmark international will be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season.
With reports over the past fortnight suggesting that the former Tottenham playmaker is not part of Amorim’s plans going forward, both parties are already eyeing up a potential solution.
Only recording a pair of Premier League goals after arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022, Eriksen has largely flattered to deceive in the red half of Manchester and there are no signs that United are willing to offer a contract extension.
Although Eriksen himself might have stated earlier in the week that he is “yet to hear anything” over his future, it has been heavily suggested that United are have put the 32-year-old up for sale and are desperate to cash in on the Danish record-breaker.
Closing in on the final six months of his current contract at Old Trafford, it appears that Eriksen will be sacrificed as part of Amorim’s midfield shakeup next summer.
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