Summer overhaul looms as Sutton names 12 players Man Utd should sell | OneFootball

Man Utd’s Harsh Reality: Sutton’s Brutal 12-Player Exit Call Reflects Deeper Rot

Ruthless Rebuild or Necessary Reset?

Manchester United’s catastrophic season — one that could conclude with them narrowly avoiding relegation — has drawn the kind of scrutiny only a club of its stature can summon. The Daily Mail’s Chris Sutton has issued a blistering review of United’s squad, recommending the exit of twelve players, including three signed just last summer for nearly £130 million. In a campaign that has left fans disillusioned and rivals emboldened, such a cull seems less like a reaction and more like a requirement.

United’s inability to qualify for the Champions League has compounded the need for a squad overhaul. The lost revenue – estimated around £100m – is a stark reminder of the club’s failure to meet even the most basic expectations. Yet, as INEOS prepares for a summer rebuild under incoming boss Ruben Amorim, Sutton’s verdict slices through sentiment with surgical precision.

Surprising Names in the Firing Line

Among the names listed for potential exits are expected figures like Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, and Victor Lindelof — players whose contracts are winding down or whose influence has diminished. But the inclusion of Matthijs De Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee — all new signings — is telling.

“If I had to choose between keeping him or Maguire, it’s a no contest,” Sutton writes of De Ligt. “Doesn’t bring what’s required to the back line. Get rid.” That’s a stinging indictment for a centre-back who arrived with pedigree and expectation. On Ugarte: “Not impressed by him, not for a fee that could hit £50.8m. Could United recoup close to that? Well, that’s not my problem! Get rid.”

And for Zirkzee, Sutton’s take is no less brutal: “Is Zirkzee a player who gets you [back to the top and into the Champions League]? Not for me, he isn’t. Get rid.”

Keeping Bruno, Selling the Rest?

Only one man seems safe in this chaotic churn: Bruno Fernandes. Sutton called him “United’s best player,” and rightly so. In a sea of underperformers, the captain has at least shown consistency and desire — even if his influence hasn’t dragged the team from mediocrity.

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As United brace for a rebuild, the pressure now lands squarely on the shoulders of the board and Amorim. Will they truly sanction the sale of recent signings? Or is this another cycle of talk with little traction?

Amorim’s Tactical Demands Will Shape Summer Strategy

Ruben Amorim’s tactical blueprint is likely incompatible with much of the current squad. If United are serious about supporting their new manager, then Sutton’s list — as harsh as it may seem — is a fair starting point. A coherent identity has eluded United for too long. Amorim may finally bring it, but not without pain.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United fans, this report reads less like transfer gossip and more like a wake-up call. The brutal honesty of Sutton’s analysis resonates with a section of the fanbase that’s grown tired of underperformance being rewarded with more chances.

Three big-money signings being shown the door after just one year might seem rash on the surface, but in truth, United have become a club where accountability often comes too late. Supporters will question the recruitment process that saw De Ligt, Ugarte, and Zirkzee arrive in the first place — especially if Amorim now sees no place for them.

Bruno Fernandes staying offers a lifeline. His passion and output, even when the team underwhelms, provide a thin layer of hope. Yet fans will also be wary of another expensive rebuild with no guarantee of cohesion. The mood is cautiously supportive — not of names, but of change. If this is the cost of transformation, so be it. But it must be followed by clarity, vision, and consistency.