Manchester United Could Witness Five Major Departures in January

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For the first time in many seasons, Manchester United seem to have finally begun putting in place the pieces required ahead of a transfer window. Having inherited a bloated squad, brimming with 25 senior players, Ralf Rangnick is, reportedly, expected to get rid of the excess in the hopes of promoting promising academy prospects moving forward. Moreover, with many international players reduced to a squad role combined with insufficient game-time under the previous management, United are already bracing for big-name departures in the January transfer window.

Ralf Rangnick, United January departures — Image Obtained via TEAMtalk

The Red Devils undeniably require competent recruitment to restore the balance within the squad. However, to sanction arrivals, United will be required to oversee departures of numerous senior members in January. A midfielder remains top of the priority list. However, with multiple precarious contract situations and questions still looming over the adaptability of a few senior players, the club are likely to be met with several hurdles over the coming months.

Nevertheless, United will be hoping to extract the best value from the January departures. Given their raft of talent and experience across most positions, the club are likely to welcome the idea of a refreshing modus operandi, dedicated to acquiring and developing young talent alongside sanctioning the sale of those non-essential to their plans.

Anthony Martial (Potential Destinations: Juventus, Sevilla)

With his agent having publicly expressed Martial’s desire to leave United in January, the Frenchman remains one of the likeliest departures next month, provided he fails to see a significant increase in game-time over the coming weeks. Amongst those severely underutilised by the previous manager, Martial’s desire to seek a new challenge comes as no surprise.

The club are expected not to make the same mistake as the summer transfer window, turning down a £50m offer for the winger and the same has been reiterated by Rangnick. During the pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash at Newcastle, the German manager suggested the Frenchman would be allowed to leave Old Trafford next month, but a deal will only be agreed in the interests of the club.

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Given his inconsistent form and failure to cement his place in United’s starting line-up in recent seasons, the 26-year-old winger has been reduced to a squad role in the ongoing campaign, besides losing his place in the international side. Moreover, having been impeded with recurring injuries, the striker’s willingness for first-team football in a new environment is likely to provide him with the indispensable boost heading into the prime years of his career.

While Martial’s current wage at United is likely to put-off many suitors, the club are expected to remain open to a loan move in January. Although the Frenchman is deserving of resuscitation of his career at United under the new manager, Martial has seemingly begun preparing for a new destination next month.

Edinson Cavani (Potential Destinations: Corinthians FC)

Having witnessed a reduction in his game-time, partly owing to Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, but mostly due to sustaining injuries, Edinson Cavani has surprisingly grown “restless” at United. The Uruguayan signed a one-year extension this summer but now, seems keen on moving elsewhere.

Edinson Cavani, Manchester United January departures — (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Regarded as an essential part of the first-team when fit, Cavani has managed to register only four appearances and one Premier League start this season. Moreover, with extreme competition for places across the attacking third, the 34-year-old is likely to move down the pecking order heading into the final months of his contract.

With the club in desperate need of clearing the wage bill, the Uruguayan striker could potentially prepone his exit to next month. Given the Red Devils’ reported interest in River Plate striker Julian Alvarez, provided they acquire his services, Cavani could emerge as one of the first departures out of United in January.

Dean Henderson (Potential Destinations: Unknown)

Amongst the players struggling for game-time at the club, Dean Henderson is expected to seek a loan move in January. The Englishman still hopes of earning his spot in the starting line-up. However, given Rangnick’s preference for David de Gea and the latter’s exceptional form so far in this campaign, Henderson is unlikely to dethrone the Spaniard anytime soon.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper remains ambitious of succeeding at United, and his wages combined with a long-term contract could aid his stay at Old Trafford. Although reports have suggested Rangnick’s desire to keep hold of Henderson beyond the upcoming transfer window, his foreseeable lack of game-time could push the keeper towards demanding a loan move in January.

Dean Henderson has reportedly had his attempts for a loan move away from Man United BLOCKED by Ralf Rangnick pic.twitter.com/Z127PxUMUw

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) December 30, 2021

With the club in need of trimming down the squad and wage bill, Henderson emerges as a valuable asset capable of raising funds. However, a loan move remains the likeliest possibility, with his wages expected to emerge as a stumbling block in negotiations for a permanent move next month.

Jesse Lingard (Potential Destinations: West Ham United, Newcastle United)

Another of the casualties fallen to the false promise of game-time by the previous manager, Jesse Lingard is expected to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window. Despite delivering crucial goal contributions early in the season, the attacking midfielder has witnessed a gradual decrease in first-team minutes.

Lingard is in the last year of his contract and the club wanted him to sign a new deal. However, the player stalled his contract negotiations last month as his representatives are convinced his future lies away from Old Trafford. The player will be willing to move in January on loan or next summer on a free transfer.

Recent reports have suggested the player intends to shun a January switch and will move clubs only in the summer. Lingard believes he can still force his way into Rangnick’s plans, but his long term future at the club looks precarious. Also, the player himself knows he can obtain a major signing bonus at another club if he joins on a free transfer in the summer.

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However, a reasonable offer in January could see United sanction a sale before the expiration of his contract at the end of the campaign. With several clubs reportedly interested in weighing up a move for the midfielder given his availability, the 29-year-old could potentially seek an appealing offer next month.

Given the talented pool of attackers at United combined with his game-time unlikely to increase over the coming weeks, Lingard could be one of the first departures in January. Moreover, with the club in need of creating pathways for academy prospects amidst trimming down the wages, the midfielder’s sale could add to the transfer budget for the winter transfer window.

Donny Van De Beek (Potential Destinations: Unknown)

While unlikely to seek a move in January, provided he remains underutilized by the new manager, Van de Beek will push for a move next month. Having endured the worst of repercussions from the previous manager’s lack of rotation, the Dutchman remains keen on succeeding at United. However, the player’s ambitions for the World Cup could see him seek first-team opportunities elsewhere.

Although expected to be given the opportunities to redeem himself under the new manager, Donny van de Beek will be looking for first-team minutes over the coming weeks. However, given the team’s need to gain consistency in maintaining their pursuit for top-four, the 24-year-old could still be utilized as a squad player, provided Rangnick favours a minimal change in his winning team moving forward.

With numerous clubs expected to line up for his signing, United will be hopeful of securing a reasonable fee provided the Dutchman looks to move elsewhere in January. However, given the lack of midfield options combined with Paul Pogba’s uncertain contract situation, the midfielder could certainly remain at United beyond the coming transfer window.

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