If these underachieving disunited ‘stars’ want out... great, let ’em go!

A MASS exodus is underway at Old Trafford.

Good. It’s about time.

One story this week suggested that a staggering 17 players think they’ll be better off elsewhere. Another made it just the 13.

Whatever.

The only reaction to that? Hallelujah.

A bigger group of overpaid, underachievers you could not find at any football club on the planet.

The arrival of a tepid, grey, interim manager and a car-crash Bank Holiday show against Wolves (above) has apparently led to huge numbers of the first-team squad speed-dialing their agents and demanding an exit.

A cause for celebration – because there’s been something rotten at Manchester United for years.

We hear all the time about ‘players taking responsibility’. They never do. It translates as ‘win games of football.’ And that’s something that Manchester United have not done consistently enough.

It’s not a problem in the boardroom. It’s not a problem in the manager’s office.

It’s in the dressing room.

Don’t forget, this was a place where the best once resided. Former stars who now live in broadcast booths – such as Gary Neville and Roy Keane – were at the vanguard of creating that United winningat-all-costs mentality.

Now they must be looking at their trashed legacy and wonder why they bothered.

The current crop have seen off a succession of managers.

By whatever yardstick you use – by experience or by clubs managed or by trophies won – there’s no doubt that Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho are big-hitters.

It didn’t matter. We all know it’s easier to fire one man at the top rather than lose millions in player contracts.

There were flashes. An FA Cup triumph for the Dutchman and two trophies for the one formerly known as ‘Special.’

They couldn’t even rouse themselves more for Mr Nice Guy Ole. Played when they felt like it, most of ‘em.

As a crude example name one single player who has improved since arriving at Manchester United.

It’s like all the life, energy and ability is sucked out of them the minute they step over the threshold.

Led by Paul Pogba (left) – the absolute master of turning up when he feels like it – there has been no ground gained in terms of title races.

New contract? You must be joking. On his day – brilliant. It’s just difficult predicting when that day will be.

They were miles off the minute Sir Alex Ferguson walked out, and they’re just as far back now.

Tomorrow at Old Trafford, when the glare of the country is upon them, they’ll probably be ‘at it’. A few will turn up and put in a shift.

Then it will be back to the normal ‘win one, lose one, draw one’ that appears to be the enduring pattern. Seventeen players want out?

If it were possible, I’d shift them all now – because that dressing room needs a purge.