Transfer Talk: Five players Ten Hag could sell to fund summer spending

Erik ten Hag's era at Manchester United has got off to a solid start.

United have won the Carabao Cup, are in the FA Cup final and can secure their Champions League return with a point against Chelsea on Thursday.

But Ten Hag will not rest until the Red Devils are competing for league and Champions League titles again.

The squad will evolve again this summer and these five players could be shown the door to make way for any new arrivals.

David de Gea

David de Gea is out of contract and Manchester United should be cut-throat enough to say goodbye.

The goalkeeper has been one of United's best players in the decade since Alex Ferguson retired but mistakes have been common ever since his nightmare 2018 World Cup.

Tentative footwork and weak wrists have become a hindrance for the Spaniard, not least when he allowed Said Benrahma's tame shot to squeeze in during the 1-0 defeat at West Ham earlier this month.

Most of all, De Gea's passing skills will never allow Ten Hag to shape the team exactly how he wants to, as evidenced by goals conceded from goal-kicks against Brentford and Sevilla.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

It is both reasonable to believe that Aaron Wan-Bissaka has made impressive strides this season and that United should still be looking for better.

Wan-Bissaka is formidable defensively, topping all top-six right-backs for tackles plus interceptions per 90 minutes this season.

But while his possession game has improved, he still ranks below many of his positional rivals for passes and key passes.

In an era when full-backs are being asked to make up the numbers in the centre of the pitch more often, United need to allow the 25-year-old the chance to shore up somebody else's right-hand side — perhaps former club Crystal Palace.

Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has endured underserved ridicule during his Manchester United career — but it is time to move on.

The 30-year-old has played 20% of United's Premier League minutes this season, not enough for a player in his peak years who has a position in England's first team to hold on to.

The form of Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill and Tyrone Mings is growing the pool of centre-backs that Gareth Southgate has to pick from and he will not endlessly persevere with somebody who is not playing.

The majority of the Premier League would be interested in taking United's club captain on a loan or permanent deal, with Tottenham and West Ham said to be keen.

Donny van de Beek

Donny van de Beek's United career has been a series of false dawns and the sun is no more likely to rise on it this summer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt the heat for not giving game time to Van de Beek during the first 18 months of the Dutchman's Old Trafford career but it was Ralf Rangnick who loaned him to Everton and former Ajax boss Ten Hag who did not use him much this term either.

And having missed the final six months of this season with a knee injury, time is running out for the midfielder to make an impact in Manchester.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial disappeared straight down the tunnel after being substituted at Bournemouth on Saturday and may never appear for the club again.

Martial was sent out on loan to Sevilla last season but Ten Hag has always insisted that his team are better for having the Frenchman in it.

Five goals and two assists in 19 league appearances is a poor return, though, and it seems destined that the forward will never fulfil his undoubted potential at Old Trafford.