Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League next season if they beat Liverpool on Sunday
Manchester United’s season started terribly but will end in optimism thanks to another rollercoaster year at Old Trafford. From the Grimsby disaster to sublime back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, the Reds have put their fanbase truly through the ringer this campaign.
Now with four games remaining, United are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League. Of course considering the stature of the club, simply qualifying for Europe’s elite competition is not enough. The Reds will be expected to compete and at least make it to the knockout stages of the tournament.
To do that, the Reds must assess their current squad and see who is worth keeping, selling or loaning this summer. Below, MEN Sport has taken a closer look at the entire first-team squad, and some of the club’s promising youngsters, to see what next season should hold for them.
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Goalkeepers
Senne Lammens has been a revelation since joining in the summer. He has slotted in magnificently and strengthened an area of the pitch that looked so weak at the start of the season. The Belgian will be United’s No.1 for a long time to come. Keep
Altay Bayindir was preferred to Andre Onana at the start of the season but could not keep Lammens out for long. At 28, he is not quite good enough to be second choice and probably would prefer regular football next season. Sell
Andre Onana had a disastrous game against Grimsby to seal his fate. A loan to Trabzonspor was his only option and he has done little there to justify keeping him next season. Sell
Tom Heaton is a valuable third choice goalkeeper but is out of contract at the end of the season. At 40, he may wish to transition into coaching and there would be no harm keeping him around for that. Keep
Radek Vitek has had a solid loan spell at Bristol City and should Bayindir leave, he could be second choice. However, once you get a taste of regular football, it is tough to give that up. Keep
Defenders
Leny Yoro went through a tough spell at the start of the campaign and found himself out of the starting line up. However, he has improved as the season has gone on and should be a key player for years to come. Keep
Matthijs de Ligt has been missing since December with a back injury. He has plenty of time left on his contract but will need to hit the ground running next season. Keep
Lisandro Martinez looked to be back in the plans but his suspension could not have happened at a worse moment. The Argentine has one season left to prove he deserves a new contract. At the moment, it is 50:50 which way that goes. Keep
Ayden Heaven shone in the victory at Chelsea and earned his start against Brentford. He is still learning but Heaven offers too much to the first team to be loaned out. Keep
Harry Maguire earned his new contract earlier this month and has been dependable this season. However, United will hope they are preparing for the future this time next year. Keep
Patrick Dorgu could easily be among the midfielders given his impact since Christmas. Injury has left him in the same boat as De Ligt but with left wing an area that needs strengthening, the Dane has a route into the first team again. Keep
Luke Shaw has done exceptionally to defy his previous injury issues to play every Premier League game this season. He has locked down the left-back position. Keep
Tyrell Malacia should have been allowed to leave in January. United pulled the plug but won’t offer him a new deal. Release
Diogo Dalot has been steady for United and does little wrong. Whether the Reds choose to upgrade on him in the future will be interesting. Keep
Noussair Mazraoui played the role of utility man well in the win at Chelsea. A good squad player for the Reds. Keep
Harry Amass did well at Sheffield Wednesday but injury has scuppered his Norwich loan. A move back to the Championship could be good next season. Loan
Midfielders
Manuel Ugarte has not impressed when Casemiro has been unavailable. Ahead of a midfield rebuild, the Uruguay international has to leave. Sell
Casemiro has done well this season and will leave United on a high. ‘One more year’ chants are a testament to his performances but that decision will not be reversed. Leaving
Kobbie Mainoo endured a difficult start to the season but has partnered Casemiro exceptionally. Thoroughly deserves the new contract being lined up. Keep
Bruno Fernandes should be kept at all costs. He has been the chief creator for United this season and he will be vital for the Reds in next season’s Champions League. Keep
Mason Mount will struggle to justify his spot at the end of this season. Competing with Fernandes is difficult but injuries continue to scupper him. United may need to make a tough decision on him. Sell
Tyler and Jack Fletcher could do with some more first team football to position themselves for the first team in the future. Loan
Toby Collyer has suffered similar injury problems to Amass. He needs a proper season on loan in the Championship without injuries stop-starting his momentum. Loan
Forwards
Bryan Mbeumo has gone off the boil recently but when he is on his game, he has been an excellent addition. He will remain a first choice player next season. Keep
Amad has had a mixed campaign and perhaps played better as a wing-back. He should be kept around for the new campaign though. Keep
Matheus Cunha would be better down the middle but has still done well on the left. His versatility will be key with a Champions League campaign to come. Keep
Benjamin Sesko could have easily been left behind like Rasmus Hojlund had Amorim stayed. Since his exit, the forward has hit some brilliant form and his confidence is flowing. Keep
Joshua Zirkzee has been a good team player but United need a better striker to compete with Sesko. The Reds cannot offer the Dutchman the minutes he needs. Sell
Marcus Rashford may be open to a return now Amorim has left but too much water has gone under the bridge now. A sale to Barcelona would be best for everyone. Sell
Jadon Sancho has had his time at United. Where he goes at the end of the season will not be of concern to the Reds. Release
Rasmus Hojlund has all but left United thanks to his and Napoli’s performances this season. His time at United did not quite work. Sell
Chido Obi has enjoyed a good year outside of the first team glare. He could come in handy as a third choice striker next season. Keep
Shea Lacey continues to live up to his hype. He was unfortunately sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup but that was a learning curve and he should get more chances next season. Keep






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