Jose Mourinho will not be happy with how the match up with Pep Guardiola has gone since they were supposed to come head-to-head in the Premier League. His attempts to change that next season could see up to nine players leave United.
Mourinho and Guardiola took the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona to a whole new visceral level that as neutrals we all loved with Mourinho taking his opponent to the trenches and being part of the reason Pep decided to quit La Liga.
When the news broke that Mourinho would be taking over at United the same time his adversary was heading across town to City well we all got a little excited but that excitement was soon dampened.
In the first season the two sides only battle was for Champions League qualification, with the former Real manager even giving up on league positions in favour of the Europa League. Take two has been even less of a competition with City sauntering away with the title.
Mourinho will be desperate to change that next season and according to the Mirror up to nine players could leave this summer with Luke Shaw top of the list. Following Shaw are Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the last two leaving after their contracts run out.
After those there is possible departures for Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling after Mourinho met with Ed Woodward about the need to freshen things up.
Zlatan is certain to leave with his contract ending when the season finishes and the Swede having limited impact in his second season at Old Trafford. There’s still a chance Fellaini could stay but he is yet to sign a new deal amidst interest from Turkey.
As well as those potential nine names, with some of them more likely than others to be sold, there is also the retirement of Michael Carrick meaning there will be a massive hole in United’s team to fill.
It’s likely that Mourinho will sign two central midfielders this summer whilst full backs and a centre back could also be on his radar but attackers are likely to be out of the question after the recent investment in Alexis Sanchez.
Which players should leave Old Trafford?
sportbible.com
It’s likely that Mourinho will sign two central midfielders this summer whilst full backs and a centre back could also be on his radar but attackers are likely to be out of the question after the recent investment in Alexis Sanchez.
Which players should leave Old Trafford?
sportbible.com
