5 forgotten players Man United should just get rid of after years of trying

Axel Tuanzebe

Over the last 4 years, Axel Tuanzebe has been sent out on loan four separate times. His most memorable moment in a Man United shirt is still when he pocketed Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League back in the 2020/21 season. Since then, his career seems to have gone downwards. Tuanzebe was too error-prone for United last season, often costing his side in key moments.

He’s struggled out on loan at Napoli, only making 1 league appearance for them. With the Red Devils likely to buy at least one (if not two) centre-backs next season, Tuanzebe doesn’t really have a place in the squad anymore. United probably can’t expect more than £20m for him, but getting rid of him can be the best move for all parties.

Phil Jones

Phil Jones should have ideally been sold years ago. It’s only because of his injury record and United’s incapability of selling players that has stopped that from happening. In the last 3 seasons, Jones has made just 10 appearances in all competitions for United. No other Premier League would tolerate such a player in their squad.

After making two appearances this season, Jones has probably gained confidence and would want a move away to start playing more regularly. United should accept whatever they get for him or even release him from his contract if that is what it takes to finally get rid of him.

Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly’s sorry situation at United is probably summed up by the fact that Jones – who has made 3 appearances in the last 15 months – started over him against Liverpool last week.

Despite advertising starts for him on Instagram, it doesn’t appear that Bailly is regarded as an asset anymore at United. Since arriving in the 2016/17 season, Bailly has suffered 15 separate injuries and missed games on a regular basis – so the ‘trust’ factor is out of the window.

With Erik ten Hag likely to sign defenders in the summer, Bailly is possibly going to fall even further down the centre-back pecking order. The 28-year-old still has some good years ahead of him and can have a good career elsewhere, so selling him in the summer seems like the right way to go.

Tahith Chong

Since making his senior debut for United in 2019, Tahith Chong has failed to take the route to becoming a permanent member of the first-team squad like Marcus Rashford or Anthony Elanga. Like Tuanzebe, he’s failed to produce a string of bright performances for the Red Devils and has been loaned to 3 separate clubs in the last 2 years. In 16 appearances for United, Chong only has 2 goal contributions.

With the Red Devils’ attacking line already so stacked and further attacking signings to be made in the summer, it doesn’t appear like Chong has a role anymore. The 22-year-old still has a long way to go in his career and at a club with less pressure, so getting rid of him is the ideal thing to do.