Sell Bruno Fernandes but keep Kobbie Mainoo: Transfer verdict on every Manchester United player | OneFootball

Standard Sport assesses surgery required on squad at Old Trafford

A new year has arrived and it all feels painfully familiar at Manchester United.

United sit sixth in the table and only three points off fourth, an encouraging position by their recent standards, but Amorim’s relationship with the hierarchy collapsed and it is back to square one.

Significant money was spent under Amorim and decisions were made to back him, including the departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho and the club’s willingness to sell Kobbie Mainoo.

The Manchester United squad at the start of the season

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Darren Fletcher has jumped into the hot seat for now, and there is talk of Michael Carrick or even Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking interim charge until a permanent appointment is made in the summer.

United need to ensure the process does not drag on and hinder their transfer plans, with a new head coach having big decisions to make.

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at the United first-team squad, giving a verdict on who should stay and who should go.

Goalkeepers

Senne Lammens

Promising start to his United career. Only two clean sheets but has looked relatively calm in a new league at just 23. Goalkeeper debate has been silenced and there looks to be stability for the years ahead. KEEP

Altay Bayindir

Made mistakes against Arsenal and Burnley this season to add to his catalogue of errors. United need a much better back-up for future seasons when schedule is more congested. SELL

Tom Heaton

Important leadership role in the dressing room and on the training pitch, setting the standards. Can do that for another season, even if he does turn 40 in April. KEEP

Defenders

Diogo Dalot

Even if the back-three system is consigned to the history books, the squad needs improvement at full-back. Dalot is not convincing enough defensively or in attack. SELL

Harry Maguire

Not as bad a signing as he is often made out to be but he could never shake that £80million price tag. Out of contract in the summer and an exit would be best for both parties. RELEASE

Harry Maguire

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Lisandro Martinez

An easy decision to keep if he was fit but that is too often not the case. Started only three Premier League matches this season. Worth persisting with but injury record must improve. KEEP

Matthijs de Ligt

Largely impressive this season and a big goal to earn a point away at Tottenham. Questions over his fitness problems too but still certainly good enough to be in the squad. KEEP

Ayden Heaven

A mixed season for the 19-year-old, who had started to become a regular under Amorim. Inconsistent as you'd expect from a teenager but looks to have a bright future. KEEP

Leny Yoro

Started the campaign superbly but has cooled off recently. Amorim said he "thinks too much" and he can be too emotional. Plenty of time for the 20-year-old to come good, even if price tag of £52m looks step. KEEP

Luke Shaw

Has started every Premier League match this season, a remarkable stat considering his previous injury record. Feels like a good time to encourage buyers and get some sort of fee back. SELL

Luke Shaw

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Noussair Mazraoui

Should not be starting for a United side with any sort of serious ambitions but his versatility makes up a useful squad option. KEEP

Tyrell Malacia

The wait for United is almost over after it proved too difficult to find a buyer for him in the summer. Out of contract in the summer and a new deal is not under consideration. RELEASE

Midfielders

Casemiro

Decent goal contributions this season should not sway an easy decision. United need his £350,000-a-week wages off the books as soon as possible. Contract finally up at the end of the season. RELEASE

Manuel Ugarte

The amount Casemiro has played this season is an indication of how poor a signing Ugarte has been. Incredibly limited on the ball. Has to be sold even if club won't get anywhere near £50m back. SELL

Bruno Fernandes

Brace yourselves. Fernandes is comfortably United's best player and has almost single-handedly held things together in recent seasons. However, United should have accepted the £100m for the 31-year-old to help fund a squad rebuild in the summer. Future bids are likely to be less than that but if another huge offer does come in, United should strongly consider it with finances already tight. SELL FOR THE RIGHT PRICE

Bruno Fernandes

Getty Images

Mason Mount

Better signs this season, even if that was from a fairly low bar. Influence is growing and managers always seem to like him. Could finally start to justify signing if he stays fit. KEEP

Kobbie Mainoo

Unlikely to have been too many tears shed in the Mainoo household when Amorim left. One of few in the squad who could generate a sizeable fee but deserves a fresh start under a new manager. KEEP

Amad Diallo

Will be interesting to see how he fits into a different system, having formed a strong partnership with Mbeumo from wing back. Signed a new long-term contract last year and should be no doubts over keeping him. KEEP

Forwards

Bryan Mbeumo

Everything points to it being £65m well spent. Lesson to be learned from signing players proven in the Premier League. Top scorer this season even after leaving for AFCON. KEEP

Benjamin Sesko

Jury is out on the summer signing and that feels generous. Just two goals for United and none since October. Only 22 and could come good but needs to show much, more more. KEEP

Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United via Getty Images

Matheus Cunha

Looks like the kind of serious signing there have been all too few of over the last decade. Three goals and two assists in his last six matches and can play across the front line. KEEP

Strongly linked with a move to Roma this month and United should push to get that done. A striker that does not really score goals is not much use, even if his unique profile offered something different. SELL