A new dawn is approaching at Old Trafford but the sun is beginning to set on two of the club’s most decorated stars.
Serial Champions League winners Raphael Varane and Casemiro head the list of stars set for the exit door this summer.
Varane has looked a fraction of the player that inspired Real Madrid to three successive Champions League titles, while Casemiro has struggled, at times, in getting to grips with the rigours of the Premier League.
Another frustrating campaign is coming to a close with United still displaying no signs of mounting any serious title challenge.
Champions League qualification appears to be out of reach even with the possible added incentive of an extra place in next season’s revamped competition.
Europa League football is not a foregone conclusion for sixth-placed United, who could see themselves drop into the Europa Conference League, or worse still, no European football at all.
Fans have been split on the club’s failing stars, some of which are likely to bring down the curtain on their United careers in a matter of weeks.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake in the club is all United fans have by way of optimism in the midst of the most enthralling title race in years involving three of the club’s biggest domestic rivals.
With optimism moving at a snail’s pace, a new breed of young talent displaying signs of a promising future keep spirits alive at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Willy Kambwala lead the new wave of talent but any progressive moves for the starlets will likely to see the end of the road for others.
We look at the players in the frame to be shipped out this summer as Ratcliffe plots a well-overdue Old Trafford shake-up.
Raphael Varane
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Not for the first time, the French World Cup winner has been linked with an Old Trafford exit. The 30-year-old joined Manchester United in 2021, helping the club end their trophy drought in last season’s Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle, but injuries have hampered his time in the north west.
As one of the club’s top earners and with just 15 months remaining on his existing deal, United could pull the plug on the Frenchman this summer to avoid him leaving for free next summer.
United declined the opportunity to trigger an extension in his contract despite boss Erik ten Hag’s reliance on him.
Casemiro
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The Brazilian was a shock arrival at Old Trafford in 2022 as Manchester United sought to add much-needed steel to their midfield.
After an impressive first season at the club, Casemiro’s influence on the team has evidently evaporated.
Injury, loss of form and a succession of disciplinary issues has hampered his second campaign at the club.
Another of the club’s big earners and with a contract running until 2026 with the option of a further year, Casemiro is in the firing line ahead of a summer exit.
Links with a move to Saudi Arabia continue to surface for the 32-year-old and the emergence of Mainoo may just force United’s hand should any appealing offers come their way.
Anthony Martial
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The French forward is nailed on to bid farewell to the place he has called home since 2015.
After an explosive start to his Manchester United career, Martial has flattered to deceive despite his time at the club fizzling out many moons ago.
With his contract expiring this summer, Martial will leave with an underwhelming goal return partly influenced by a host of injuries over his nine-year spell.
Christian Eriksen
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The Denmark midfielder has seen his game time dramatically reduced of late despite playing a key role for the Red Devils last season.
Another who has seemingly been overtaken by the emergence of Mainoo, Eriksen could seek pastures new this summer with just 15 months remaining on his existing deal.
A free signing after leaving Brentford in 2022, United could look to cash in on the 32-year-old at the end of the current campaign.
Marcus Rashford
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The conundrum that seemingly has no answer. Rashford has been unable to replicate last season’s incredible 30-goal haul, instead reverting to a repeat of his underwhelming 2021/22 campaign.
Just eight goals in 38 games across all competitions this season has seen Rashford bear the brunt of criticism whilst putting his Euro 2024 hopes under pressure.
United may look to cash in on their inconsistent academy graduate amid reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain, who are on the hunt for Kylian Mbappe’s successor.
But with a contract running until 2028 and the forward in a slump of poor form, United may need to rethink their valuation if they have any plans of offloading the 26-year-old.