Manchester United have 15 players who need to go as miserable season continues with Chelsea defeat - analysis by Jack Otway

Manchester United have 15 players who need to go as miserable season continues with Chelsea defeat - analysis by Jack Otway

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Chelsea beat Manchester United in Premier League thriller

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 05/04/2024

- 11:34

Updated: 05/04/2024

- 11:44

The Red Devils have endured a torrid campaign and lost 4-3 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night

Manchester United have suffered many poor results since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement back in 2013.

But the way they folded against Chelsea in their 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge last night will have board members, fans and pundits alike all even more worried than ever before.


United needed to close out the game, having come from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

Yet they inexplicably collapsed, with the fallen giants seeing Cole Palmer down them with a late brace - and his first Chelsea hat-trick - to give the west London giants all three points.

Manchester United Chelsea

Manchester United lost 4-3 to Chelsea on Thursday night as their miserable season stooped to a new low

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This wasn't as bad as batterings received by the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City and Bournemouth so far this term.

It was even better than the way they performed in their appalling 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium over the weekend.

But United are a mess, a shadow of the team they once were.

Erik ten Hag is a dead man walking at Old Trafford. All signs point to the 54-year-old leaving, especially with speculation surrounding Julian Nagelsmann beginning to intensify.

Yet the Dutchman isn't the only person who should leave the club.

So GB News now takes a look at the 15 players we think should follow Ten Hag when the axe inevitably falls at the end of the season.

Altay Bayindir

Signed back in the summer from Fenerbache, Altay Bayindir has made just one appearance for United so far.

A pointless signing because, even when Andre Onana was abysmal during the early stages of his own career at Old Trafford, Ten Hag still didn't trust him to come in.

He's never going to be first-choice and United should have promoted an academy kid or stuck with Tom Heaton as their No 2 instead.

Tom Heaton

Heaton is valued at United because of his experience and leadership.

But he's also only there to make up the numbers, having made just three appearances since returning on a free transfer in 2021.

Heaton should be a coach at United, instead of a player. They need a genuine competitor for Onana, one better than Bayindir, to keep the Cameroon international on his toes.

Victor Lindelof

Victor Lindelof has been a good servant for United ever since joining back in 2017.

However, he's never been able to establish himself as a key player and his form has dropped off considerably this term.

If United want to get back to winning the biggest and best titles on offer, then they need an upgrade on the Sweden international.

Man Utd Harry Maguire Chelsea

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire toiled during his side's Premier League defeat to Chelsea

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Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire has come on a bit at United this term, having previously looked destined to become a forgotten man.

Like Lindelof, however, he simply isn't up to scratch.

Maguire should have raced out to ensure Palmer's winning goal didn't go in, having spotted the run of the Chelsea man on Thursday night. He opted to stand where he was, however, and his team paid the ultimate price.

Raphael Varane

During his prime years, Raphael Varane was one of the best centre-backs in the world for Real Madrid.

But Los Blancos only get rid of players when they feel they're past their best - and the France international is a prime example.

Varane has never been able to scale the heights of his Madrid days at United and, given his huge £340,000 weekly wage, is simply too expensive to keep.

Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams was once tipped for a bright future at United.

However, having struggled at Ipswich, there seems to be no way back for him at Old Trafford.

United have Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia as their left-backs for the foreseeable future and selling Williams would boost their transfer kitty for the summer ahead.

Sofyan Amrabat

United fans were jubilant when the club signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan back in the summer.

Many had wanted to see the Morocco international arrive, particularly after his fine displays at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But Amrabat has been a disaster and the sooner he returns to parent club Fiorentina the better for everyone involved.

Donny van de Beek

Donny van de Beek joined United from Ajax back in 2020 with the club convinced he could be a hit.

That hasn't happened, however, with the Netherlands international currently on loan at Frankfurt.

United will sell Van de Beek - that much is already certain - and few will rue his departure given his lack of impact over the past four years.

Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen did well for United last term, bringing composure to the team.

However, the Denmark international has fallen down the pecking order and now appears to be a player on the wane.

United need a midfield conductor and though Eriksen papered over the cracks last term, his issues this season speak volumes.

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Manchester United Casemiro Chelsea

Manchester United star Casemiro was off the pace during his side's Premier League defeat to Chelsea

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Casemiro

Eyebrows were raised when United signed Casemiro in 2022.

Yet while he silenced his critics last season, the Brazil international's legs have gone.

Casemiro was awful against Chelsea, a shadow of the player he once was at Real Madrid, and cutting him loose will help United free up a substantial place on their wage bill.

Facundo Pellistri

Facundo Pellistri is currently on loan at Granada in Spain.

But even though two goal involvements from eight matches is decent enough, the 22-year-old isn't good enough for United.

Pellistri could perhaps do with another loan spell but the writing appears to already be on the wall for the Uruguay international.

Jadon Sancho

Like Pellistri and Van de Beek, Jadon Sancho is also out on loan - with the England international starting to shine for Borussia Dortmund.

Germany suits the winger far better than the Premier League, however, which is why he makes this list.

Sancho does have talent and could yet become world-class but that won't be at Old Trafford. His signing in 2021 has backfired spectacularly and everybody will benefit from a parting of the ways.

Manchester United Marcus Rashford Chelsea

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford did nothing after coming off the bench during his side's defeat to Chelsea

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Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood has impressed during his loan spell at Getafe.

But returning to United would give the club a headache they could really do without.

Selling Greenwood for a good fee, potentially to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, would make sense for both player and club instead of exposing him to the hostility of the Premier League.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial is one of United's best-paid players but hasn't featured for the club since December.

He has never lived up to his potential and, when United's decline is studied in the coming years, Martial will be a talking point.

The France international has been allowed to rot for too long and he'll benefit from a summer departure, as well as the club.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford was brought on for United against Chelsea, having been dropped to the bench.

Yet the England international was anonymous and looked uncomfortable playing at the tip of Ten Hag's attack.

Rashford has talent, that much is clear, but he's too inconsistent. United can't carry him any more and a move away, potentially to Paris Saint-Germain, would potentially reignite his career.

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