The times are changing in the city of Manchester, and it’s setting up to be quite the arms race between United and City. With Pep Guardiola arriving and Jose Mourinho taking over at Old Trafford, the two clubs will be looking to one-up each other at every turn. United have a ways to go to catch up to their rivals, and Mourinho will be expected to make a splash to improve Manchester United. While there will be plenty of signings this summer, some of this improvement will be addition by subtraction. To make room on the pitch and in the budget for new signings.
Marouane Fellaini
Fellaini hasn’t been the same presence on the pitch for Manchester United that he has at Everton, and some of that isn’t his fault. Van Gaal’s usage of him has been strange at times, to say the least. His usage as a center forward became a bit of a running joke to many. While Fellaini isn’t a poor player, he isn’t likely to find much playing time next season. Fellaini’s natural position is more of an attacking midfielder, and that’s one position United have some depth. Fellaini, who’s agent as said he’d be open to a move, will likely be one of the first casualties of the Mourinho era.
Marcus Rojo
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Marcos Rojo of Manchester United shoots during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on April 3, 2016, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
It’s unlikely that Marcus Rojo gets as much playing time as he did with United if Luke Shaw doesn’t suffer that horrible injury early in the season. With Shaw poised to return next season, and the emergence of the young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Rojo will surely be the odd man out. Not only is he likely to drop down on the depth chart, but when he has played he’s been anything but impressive. He hasn’t added much going forward, with only 1 assist all year, and defensively he has much to be desired. Unless he’s content with sitting on the bench behind Shaw and Borthwick-Jackson, he’ll likely part ways with United this summer.
Michael Carrick
Carrick has been a very good player at United for a number of seasons. He was crucial to their title win in 2013. However, he’s about to be 35, and playing in a key position in a Mourinho system. United will want to get younger and more aggressive in the middle of the park, and that part of Carrick’s game might be behind him. He could very well stay with the Red Devils, but if he feels that he should be starting on a regular basis he might be interested in taking his talents elsewhere. It appears Carrick will remain on Manchester United so it’s possible Mourinho is coming around to him.
Adnan Januzaj
Januzaj spent the first half of the season on loan to Borussia Dortmund, where he featured in only six times for the black and yellow. It was a season-long loan, but after admitting that the Loan was a poor decision, United brought the young Belgian back to Manchester. Back at Old Trafford Januzaj didn’t do much better. He made only 5 appearances for the club, and never looked like challenging those ahead of him on the depth chart. He’s still only 21, and can still become a great player. However, with the number of young attacking options coming through at United, if Januzaj wants to be great, he might need a change of scenery first.
Phil Jones
One of United’s most pressing need is a center back, and if United are unable to go out and get a world class defender Phil Jones could end up staying at Old Trafford. But with names like John Stones and Aymeric Laporte being thrown around, it seems only a matter of time before someone is brought in. Jones could very well be the odd man out next season, and might need to move elsewhere if he hopes for regular playing time. Jones only saw the pitch in 10 league matches this season, and with the possibility of more of the same next year, he’ll want to seek emplyoment away from Manchester.
