Manchester United transfer analysis: 5 players Solskjaer should sell this summer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the issues at Manchester United. The question is can he put it right? For that he must be afforded at least some time to clear out the hopeless and to refresh in key positions.

Here are five players he can start by binning this summer:

Anthony Martial

The stage seems too big for him. A player of huge potential who cannot escape his shell for fear of failing. Lacks the personality and ultimately the heart to cope. Jumping out of tackles, as he did at Goodison Park, flagged a new low in his downward spiral.

Romelu Lukaku

Too many technical deficiencies. Could not trap a bag of sand as the old lags used to say. The cycle of football life has passed him by. With the emphasis on touch and movement he appears ill-equipped. Too many moves break down around him.

Paul Pogba

In a more accomplished team surrounded by better players he might prosper. Has great feet and balance and decent spatial awareness but lacks game intelligence and the capacity to drag an average team forward. Cash in while you can.

David De Gea

Has looked less and less convincing in a team that shows no real signs of improving. Has been United’s best and most important player but recent mistakes make the case for Sergio Romero. Sell while value is still high and re-invest elsewhere.

Alexis Sanchez

Has never come close to reproducing his form at Arsenal and Barcelona. Industrious enough, but utterly unproductive. While there is no fee to be had, just to get him off the payroll would add £25m to the transfer kitty.