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Five players who could leave Manchester United this summer including Paul Pogba

Sports Mole identifies five players who could leave Manchester United this summer, including Paul Pogba, David de Gea and Jesse Lingard.

Manchester United would be forgiven for ruing the postponement of the football season more than most as they saw their campaign come to a halt just when they were hitting top form.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions, winning eight of those and keeping nine clean sheets to strengthen their push for a Champions League spot and all but seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The improvement can be roughly traced back to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January, with the attacking midfielder hitting the ground running at Old Trafford.

United will no doubt be looking for any summer signings to have a similar impact, but in order to bring players in the Red Devils may first need to offload some of their existing talent, and here Sports Mole looks at five players who could be on their way out of the club this summer.



Paul Pogba

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba pictured on December 26, 2019© Reuters

Paul Pogba has played just eight games across all competitions this season and has not featured at all since Boxing Day, yet that has not prevented him from making plenty of headlines.

The one-time world's most expensive footballer's impact at United has been heavily scrutinised ever since his return to the club in 2016, and matters off the pitch - namely his agent Mino Raiola's war of words with Solskjaer and public declarations of a possible summer move - have certainly not helped.

Real Madrid have long been linked with the 27-year-old, while Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain also remain in the hunt despite Solskjaer's recent suggestion that Pogba will still be at the club next season.



David de Gea

Manchester United's David de Gea pictured on March 1, 2020© Reuters

Once considered United's only undroppable and by far their most important player, David de Gea's position has seemingly become weaker following a string of mistakes over the past two seasons.

The form of back-up keeper Sergio Romero in cup competitions has certainly contributed to any pressure on the Spaniard's shoulders, but arguably the biggest threat to his spot comes from Dean Henderson, who is currently flourishing on loan at Sheffield United.

Henderson would certainly represent a cheaper option in terms of wages and would allow United to sell De Gea for a huge sum, in turn raising funds to bring in other rumoured targets such as Harry Kane, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.

A number of Europe's top clubs would be interested in the 29-year-old shot-stopper should he become available, although his contract runs until 2023 so United would likely place a hefty price on his head.



Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard in action for Manchester United on September 25, 2019© Reuters

Jesse Lingard has suffered a pretty miserable campaign so far, making only nine Premier League starts and contributing only two goals and two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

Now 27, the chances of the attacking midfielder fulfilling his potential are dwindling, and with his contract currently due to expire next summer - albeit with the option of a further year beyond that - it could be time for United to cash in on him.

Lingard has been on United's books for the last 20 years, coming through the ranks and going on to make more than 200 appearances for the first team.



Phil Jones

Manchester United's Phil Jones in action with Partizan Belgrade's Bibras Natcho in the Europa League on October 24, 2019© Reuters

Another player who has struggled to live up to expectations at United, Phil Jones has made just eight appearances across all competitions this season, and only two of those have come in the Premier League.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are now Solskjaer's preferred centre-back pairing and, even when United have gone to three in defence, Luke Shaw has been chosen ahead of Jones to complete the trio.

The loan exit of Chris Smalling to Roma last summer looked as though it could allow Jones more first-team football, but he is firmly out of favour and, at 28, is unlikely to see his valuation increase in the coming years.



Angel Gomes

Angel Gomes in action for Manchester United on September 19, 2019© Reuters

Highly-rated youngster Angel Gomes is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, and as things stand there is no new deal on the horizon despite the club's desire to keep him.

Recent reports have suggested that Chelsea are interested in snapping the 19-year-old up at the end of the season in a move which would see the Blues only needing to pay United a compensation fee for his services.

Gomes has made six appearances for the United first team this season, including two in the Premier League, but having seen the development of Mason Greenwood is understood to want more regular opportunities at senior level.



Nemanja Matic is also out of contract as things stand, although Solskjaer has insisted that the two parties have agreed an extension which will see him "100%" stay at the club next season. There are also players currently out on loan, such as Alexis Sanchez, Smalling and Marcos Rojo, who could leave on a permanent basis this summer.ID:393013: cacheID:393013:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10384:
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Barney Corkhill
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