Alexis exit .. and ‘Pog will follow’
GLAZER FAVOURITE WILL SURVIVE OLE CLEAR-OUT
IT says everything about the state of Manchester United that one of their least effective players is untouchable because the co-owner sees him as the club’s ‘Pele’.
Anthony Martial has scored only two goals in 13 games since signing a new five-year contract in January worth £200,000 a week.
But club co-chairman Joel Glazer is said to be in thrall to Martial so the indolent striker will escape this summer’s Old Trafford cull.
The United hierarchy have been accused of putting style over substance in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and Martial’s ringfenced status endorses that perception.
Unlike champions Manchester City and arch-rivals Liverpool, where there is a strategic approach to recruitment, United’s buying policy has no discernible method.
After an outlay of nearly £700million on players in the six years since Fergie retired with the INS
JADON SANCHO - Borussia Dortmund’s £100m-rated versatile attacker is United’s top target, but there is fierce competition for him.
KALIDOU - Napoli oli wa want around £90m for their coveted centre-back and United are ready to pay that figure. NICOLAS PEPE - In-form Lille striker with 21 goals this season. United are ready to offer £45m but he is likely to cost £60m.
- West Ham and England midfielder would be perfect fit for United but will come at a price - around £50m.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA - United need a right-back and the £35m- rated Crystal Palace defender is on Solskjaer’s list of targets. ADRIEN - PSG outcast can move for free this summer, although will demand a signing-on fee of around £10m. club’s 20th title, United are further away from challenging for the Premier League than ever.
They finished 32 points adrift of City this season, the biggest margin between themselves and the champions since they were relegated in 1974.
This lack of vision has allowed United to drift nearer mid-table than Liverpool and
City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a huge rebuilding job, getting rid of players who have let him down and replacing them with signings who have talent and work ethic.
Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia have already left and are likely to be joined by Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
Solskjaer is looking to bring in young English talent, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice of West Ham and Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka among his targets. A deal for Napoli’s £90m-rated defender Kalidou Koulibaly is moving closer, while United are also pursuing Lille forward Nicolas Pepe and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Martial may be staying put, but others will not survive Solskjaer’s clear-out. The most high-profile casualties are set to be £89m clubrecord signing Paul Pogba and highestpaid player Sanchez.
Pogba is pushing for a move to Real Madrid, but Sanchez will be harder to shift, with a loan deal the most probable scenario.
Then there is keeper David De Gea, out of contract next summer and yet to sign a new deal.
United say they will not be pushed into a decision on his future. But with the Spaniard out of form and wanting away, they may cut their losses and cash in.
As Solskjaer admitted after Sunday’s humiliating 2-0 home defeat by Cardiff, it is going to take several transfer windows before bUeniintgedtitclaencothnitnekndaebrosu. t
Having made such a mess of recent managerial appointments, United must get it right with their first technical director.
A cultural reset is required, which entails recruiting players with the hunger to take United back to the top, rather than simply taking the huge money on offer. Lyon 2012-13 ....................... 4 Monaco 2013-16 ............... 70 Man Utd 2016-Present .... 174 ............................. ROMELU LUKAKU - Has struggled to convince in his two seasons at United and has hinted at an exit this summer, possibly to Italy. MATTEO DARMIAN - Made first United appearance for two months in 2-0 derby defeat to City but surplus to requirements.
- Played six times all season. Injury-prone, overrated and United are desperate to offload him this summer. JUAN MATA - Out of contract this summer and unlikely to agree a new deal. Can leave for free after five years at United.
- Major flop for a player who earns £500,000-aweek. Biggest problem is finding a club to pay his huge wages. ERIC BAILLY - Made decent start at United but since regressed. Currently out injured, which may see him stay this summer. Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera GLS 0 15 48 63 FROM BACK PAGE could also exit as boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer begins his rebuilding plans. Solskjaer has already identified transfer targets but has to offload some big earners.
Inter is a possible destination for striker Lukaku, too, while former Old Trafford defender Patrice Evra believes that Pogba will move to Real Madrid.
United would like to sell Sanchez but his wages are a massive stumbling block, which is why they are having to look at either subsidising his contract or writing off a transfer fee.
Ex-France skipper Evra speaks to his compatriot Pogba every day, and is convinced the midfielder has played his last game for the Reds. The club’s record £89million buy clashed with fans after Sunday’s dire 2-0 defeat at home to relegated Cardiff.
“I think he will leave, because you need to feel the love when you play somewhere, you need to be committed,” said Evra.
“He has the most goals, most assists. But when I see fans shouting and swearing at players, I’m in shock. Incidents like that are killing Paul.”