Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are two of the three players Manchester United will not sell this summer (Image: Getty Images)
It comes as no surprise that the only three Manchester United players for whom the club will not consider summer bids are Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hojlund.
United may make significant adjustments to their coaching and playing roster as the disappointing season draws to a close in an effort to return to the Champions League. It is looking increasingly unlikely, but the Red Devils can still theoretically qualify for Europe’s top club competition.
It is much more likely that they will finish in sixth or seventh place, which would be a significant decline from third at the end of the previous season. Actually, United has suffered its joint-highest number of Premier League losses since its founding in 1992 with 12 this season.
In addition, Erik ten Hag’s early departure from Europe has increased the pressure on him and left his future very uncertain. All save three stars are protected from being sold this summer, so United may make numerous changes to the playing roster in addition to changing the management.
If the rumors about their first team roster are accurate, then United is open to offers for every player but Hojlund, Mainoo, and Garnacho. Given some of the other talent and quality in their ranks, that may surprise some people, but it shouldn’t. This is the reason, too.
With four years remaining on his deal, Hojlund—who cost £72 million when he signed from Atalanta last summer—has the potential to rank among the top strikers in the world of football. Given that the 21-year-old has already scored 14 goals in his debut season, why would United sell him? They just shouldn’t.
Regarding Mainoo, he is currently among the first names on the United team sheet after enjoying an extremely impressive breakthrough season. The 19-year-old, who has started all 18 of their Premier League games so far, is obviously capable of improving. United has absolutely no justification for selling.
Given that he has only directly contributed to 11 goals in 32 games this season, Garnacho is the only one of the three that could be sold for the right price. However, he has experience on his side because the Argentinean is just getting started and won’t even be 20 until July. Without a doubt, keep him.
All three of those players have the quality of being young players who have the potential to be among the best in the world at their position. They are all 21 years of age or younger. It is beyond question. Ratcliffe is right to keep them off the market; United cannot afford to lose any of them.
For the others, there’s a reason why the future is less certain. From the outside looking in, Bruno Fernandes, Andre Onana, and Diogo Dalot are the most unexpected stars to be included on the list of potential sales. An exit is possible, even though it is understood that a significant offer would be required for United to even consider selling any of them.
United captain Fernandes is demonstrating why he is their best player and essential to the Red Devils lineup with six goals in his last four league games. But with just two years remaining on his deal and the midfielder turning 30 in September, this summer may be United’s last opportunity to sell him for a high price.
Even though Onana joined the team from Inter Milan only last summer, his time at Old Trafford hasn’t been great so far. Even though the 28-year-old has improved recently, it is still possible that he will sell and get a replacement.
With less than a year having passed since he inked a new long-term deal, Dalot, 25, is probably someone United will keep. However, as was previously mentioned with Fernandes and Onana, it would not be shocking if he were sold, given that he is no longer in his early 20s and could command a high price with four years remaining on his contract.
Moving on, Marcus Rashford finds himself in an intriguing situation. Club sources suggest that the 26-year-old is preferred to be kept, and while this seems like the right move, selling him for at least £50 million, if not more, would free up funds for United to sign a younger player.
When their contracts expire, a number of seasoned players, including Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, are expected to depart the team, while Sofyan Amrabat, a loanee, will rejoin Fiorentina. Based on their form, age, or length of contract, Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, and Antony might be cut, and that wouldn’t be shocking.
Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood are also expected to depart on permanent contracts, while Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, and Amad will likely have to fight to stay at United. Given how often those six players have missed time due to injury this season, it would be extremely risky to assume that any of them will remain at Old Trafford.
Although there are undoubtedly more prominent United figures who could be involved in the discussion, Ratcliffe’s selection of Hojlund, Mainoo, and Garnacho as the only three unsellable assets is not shocking.
