OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is intent on thinning out his Manchester United squad this month despite a lack of incoming replacements.
A number of fringe players are at risk of being moved on with the Red Devils paying out large wages to experienced flops.
Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are thought to be at risk of the chop with Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira also reportedly in trouble.
United’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Wednesday night emphasised the need for fresh faces but Solskjaer spoke of a “clearout” regardless.
The Norwegian told BT Sport:“We are looking to improve, we have got our targets.
“This is our second defeat at home and first since August. I thought we had turned that corner.
“We have started a clearout and now I am going to be answering these questions until [the window] closes. We are working on things.
“For me the most important thing is we have to perform on the pitch. Tonight wasn’t good enough for a Manchester United team.”
So far this month, only Ashley Young has left in a 1.5million move to Inter Milan that United were keen to prevent.
Both Pereira and Rojo were rumoured to be a part of the deal to sign Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP – which SunSport understands to have now collapsed.
Thursday also saw reports of United failing with a loan bid for Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino.
A terrible night for Jones as Burnley rolled to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford only grew the calls for him to leave.
While Matic, who is out of contract in the summer, is said to be a target for AC Milan but his wages make him an expensive option for any prospective bidder.
A move away for Lingard also appears difficult to foresee this month – although the midfielder has newly teamed up with agent Mino Raiola.
