MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 19:36:51| >> :120:5585:5585:

Erik ten Hag 'wants to offload three more defenders after Eric Bailly'

Ten Hag 'wants to offload three more defenders after Bailly'
© Reuters
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could follow Eric Bailly in leaving Manchester United before the transfer deadline, according to a report.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly instructed the club to secure exits for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

Eric Bailly has agreed to join Marseille on loan for the 2022-23 campaign, while there is a mandatory purchase clause of around €10m (£8.4m) providing that the French club qualify for next season's Champions League, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

However, Man United are still said to be working on exits for three more defenders, with the club needing to make space for potential new signings before the transfer deadline.

According to The Telegraph, Wan-Bissaka, Jones and Tuanzebe could all be on their way out of Old Trafford over the next week.

Man United have boosted their defence this summer with the arrivals of Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, and both players starred in Monday's 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League.

Manchester United's Phil Jones applauds fans after the match on January 3, 2022© Reuters

Jones only made five appearances in all competitions last season, and the 30-year-old, who has seen his career stall due to injury problems, has entered the final year of his contract.

The centre-back's large wage packet will make it difficult for clubs to afford him, but there have been claims that he could move on loan, with a number of sides keeping a close eye on the developments.

Tuanzebe - also in the final year of his contract - struggled during loan spells at Aston Villa and Napoli last term, meanwhile, and the 24-year-old is not in Ten Hag's plans at the club moving forward.

Neither Jones or Tuanzebe have been involved in the squad in the early stages of the 2022-23 campaign, but Wan-Bissaka was a late substitute against Liverpool in the league on Monday.

The 24-year-old is still firmly behind Diogo Dalot in the pecking order for the right-back spot, though, and he is said to be free to leave before the end of the transfer window.

Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe pictured in May 2021© Reuters

Crystal Palace are believed to be keen to re-sign their former defender, but any move would see the 20-time English champions make a huge loss on the £50m that they paid for him in the summer of 2019.

Wan-Bissaka has featured on 127 occasions for the club and was first choice during his first two seasons at Old Trafford but first lost his starting role to Dalot in the second half of last term.

The Eagles are only allegedly prepared to pay around £10m to re-sign him a permanent deal, but a return to Selhurst Park on loan is also believed to be a possibility at this stage of the transfer market.

Brandon Williams has also been linked with an exit, but a departure for Wan-Bissaka could see the Englishman remain at Old Trafford to provide back up for Dalot.

Man United continue to work on new additions this summer, with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, Ajax's Antony and PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo all said to be targets late in the window.

ID:492906:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6173:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Brandon Williams

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Aaron Wan-Bissaka in action for Manchester United in October 2021
Read Next:
Man United 'in talks with Palace over Aaron Wan-Bissaka'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!