The summer transfer window has now slammed shut and it was certainly an impressive one from Manchester United on the inward front.
Indeed, the Red Devils got their business done early and signed four players who instantly improve their starting XI, namely world-record acquisition Paul Pogba, Bosman arrival Zlatan Ibrahimovic, powerful defender Eric Bailly and speedy midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
In terms of departures, however, United could have probably done more. Jose Mourinho inherited an inflated squad from Louis van Gaal but only seven players left Old Trafford on a permanent basis.
Recently, we’ve teamed up with 7 Of The Best to bring you a footballing treat for the season. It’s free to play and the best team each week wins £1,500, as well as monthly prize of £4,000 for the best individual. Want to win bigger? Nab yourself a whopping £500k if you get all seven of your selections correct for seven consecutive weeks.
So with the 7OTB spirit in mind, we’ve taken a look at SEVEN players United should have offloaded during the summer…
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MARCOS ROJO
Lacklustre at left-back and a lightweight at centre-half, Marcos Rojo’s versatility extends no further than him struggling equally in two different positions for the Red Devils. Indeed, the Argentina international who dazzled at the 2014 World Cup just hasn’t turned up at Old Trafford, in no small part due to his seemingly never-ending injury problems, and after two underwhelming seasons United should have cut their losses this summer.
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BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
Jose Mourinho has made it abundantly clear Bastian Schweinsteiger won’t be a part of his first-team plans this season, forcing the World Cup winner to train with United’s U23 string. But did the Red Devils do enough to ensure a departure? After all, the midfielder’s on massive wages at Old Trafford and although his United career hasn’t gone well, he’s still treated as a demi-god in the Bundesliga.
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MEMPHIS DEPAY
He started the season heralded as the next Cristiano Ronaldo but finished it closer resembling an incarnation of uber-flop Bebe.
Netherlands international Memphis Depay just hasn’t settled in the Premier League and is almost the direct antithesis of a Jose Mourinho player as a work-shy wide man.
He’s now behind Anthony Martial and potentially even Ashley Young in the pecking order; it seems the only reason United didn’t sell the 22-year-old during the summer is because they spent so much on him in the first place.
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MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
There’s certainly something Mourinho-esque about defensive midfielder Morgan Schniederlin but during his debut campaign at Old Trafford, the Frenchman didn’t once look like a Manchester United player.
Indeed, despite developing a formidable reputation with Southampton, Schneiderlin failed to truly imprint himself on games and ended up proving a bit of a spare part as his team-mates took control.
The 26-year-old is a talented midfielder but with so many alternatives above him in the pecking order, United would have been better off cashing in.
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JUAN MATA
Deemed surplus to requirements by Jose Mourinho whilst at Chelsea, many were surprised Juan Mata survived the summer at Old Trafford.
He’s started the season relatively well with one goal in three appearances but the newfound alliance between the Spaniard and Mourinho will surely come to an end before the campaign closes, especially following the arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Mata’s contract will enter it’s final year next summer, so the transfer window just passed really was United’s best chance to recoup as much of their original £37million investment as possible.
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ASHLEY YOUNG
Ashley Young’s a solid professional, a decent footballer and added an extra string to his bow under Louis van Gaal with a spate of performances as an emergency full-back.
But aged 31 and by no means the force he once was at Aston Villa, the former England international is certainly on the decline.
The veteran winger is yet to feature this season – which makes you wonder why United held onto him during the summer.
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MATTEO DARMIAN
Matteo Darmian’s debut season at Old Trafford started brightly but ended with him struggling to claim a place in the first-team.
Admittedly, there’s still plenty of time for the 26-year-old to recover his prior form but it’s incredibly telling that he’s started the campaign behind Antonio Valencia in the pecking order.
With youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah also need of game-time at No.2, Mourinho should have gotten rid.
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