MANCHESTER UNITED finally appear to have turned the corner under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After his team’s previously tepid performances had repeatedly drawn ridicule – the signing of Bruno Fernandes appears to have galvanised the fading Old Trafford giants.
The Red Devils are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run – equalling their previous best under Solskjaer – which famously came at the start of the Norwegian’s tenure.
United sit three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea – but the 1999 legend’s men are on the rise.
The 47-year-old masterminded a 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City last weekend, a result going some way to justifying Ed Woodward’s continued faith in his manager.
And the United chief is set to back Solskjaer again in the summer – but may have to trim the squad accordingly.
The Mirror believe that five players could be leaving United’s Carrington training base for the final time at the end of the season.
And we examine what could happen to the Old Trafford stars headed for the exit.
1) David de Gea
Why he could go: The Spanish stopper hasn’t quite looked himself for some time now – having made high-profile gaffs against the likes of Watford and Everton this season.
Who could replace him: Solskjaer could have a ready-made replacement in-house – in the shape of Sheffield United loan star Dean Henderson, 23 – with the Blades actually having conceded fewer goals than the Red Devils.
Where he could end up: De Gea signing a new contract in September hasn’t put off long-term suitors Real Madrid – who could launch a fresh £70million move for the 29-year-old in the summer.
Will he be missed?: Having repeatedly won United’s Player of the Year award – De Gea will always be remembered as a brilliant Red Devils No1 by fans – but with his form having deteriorated, they may feel it’s the right time to try someone new between the sticks.
2) Marcos Rojo
Why he could go: Because he simply isn’t good enough – and has nowhere near justified his reported £100,000-a-week wages.
United have been desperate to shift the 29-year-old for a while – but are yet to find a suitor.
Who could replace him: Given that the Argentine has started only once in the Premier League this season – he won’t take much replacing.
Nevertheless Solskjaer will be interested in strengthening his defence – with Napoli superstar Kalidou Koulibaly having been linked.
Where he could end up: Literally anywhere that will take him. Estudiantes in his native Argentina have been linked – while Everton tried to sign him back in August.
Will he be missed?: The defender has had his moments in a United shirt but has always been erratic – with an inexplicable act of footballing lunacy never feeling too far away. So probably not at all.
3) Paul Pogba
Why he could go: In short, because he has long appeared desperate to. How much of that “desperation” is down to his agent Mino Raiola, however, is one to be debated.
The Frenchman will have one year remaining on his contract come the summer.
Who could replace him: Some United fans would claim that Bruno Fernandes already has – with the £55million January signing having provided ample creativity and spark since his arrival.
Otherwise, they have long been linked with imposing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Where he could end up: Real Madrid or Juventus. Compatriot Zinedine Zidane loves the 26-year-old – but Pogba may prefer to return to his old stomping ground in Turin.
Will he be missed? Generally, much less than he would have been a year ago.
Fernandes’ arrival, coupled with a growing Pogba exhaustion from supporters has lead to many feeling that it is time for the supremely talented Frenchman to leave Old Trafford.
4) Jesse Lingard
Why he could go: Lingard’s form over the last 12 months has fallen off a cliff. The 27-year-old’s Old Trafford career has been a curious one – the slow rise – the brief high – and the swift fall.
Ultimately the former England man could probably do with a change of scenery – in a bid to revitalise his career.
Who could replace him: United have been linked with a number of bright, young English midfield creators. Any one of Jack Grealish, James Maddison or Jude Bellingham could arrive in the summer.
Where he could end up: Lingard has recently linked up with Pogba’s super-agent Mino Raiola – and perhaps the Italian could orchestrate a move abroad.
Atletico Madrid and Roma were unlikely links to appear last month.
Will he be missed?: Manchester United fans are particularly proud of their home-grown talent – and at his best Lingard provided a connection between the fans in the stands and the players on the pitch.
But ultimately, most supporters will want to move on, while wishing their academy graduate all the best elsewhere.
5) Alexis Sanchez
Why he could go: Because he’s completely surplus to requirements. The Chilean flopped badly at Old Trafford, and has not at all justified his eyewatering £400,000-a-week wages.
Who could replace him: In an ideal world for United fans – Jadon Sancho. The livewire former City youth player has been electrifying in the Bundesliga – and like Fernandes could propel United to another level.
Where he could end up: United will hope that a deal can be tied up with Inter Milan to make his loan permanent – however the Chilean will need to accept a fairly chunky wage cut for this to happen.
Will he be missed? Not in the slightest.
While there was excitement when Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils beat City to his signature in January 2018 – Sanchez has gone to prove to be arguably the most damaging signing in the club’s history.
