Man U

Manchester United: 4 peripheral players to stay and 8 to depart based on pre-season performances – a prediction

Van Gaal: A man of character

Great performances

It’s been a hugely successful tour for Manchester United under Louis van Gaal.

With the team playing like this you wonder how long they can go before they actually do lose a game.

Last night ‘new’ Manchester United’s latest quality of resilience came to the fore as Liverpool took an early lead but United battled back and found a way past their fierce rivals.

With very few exceptions, Manchester United players have impressed on this tour.

And while there may be less departures than we had initially imagined before America, Louis van Gaal will certainly get rid of a few stars to make room for new faces.

So who goes and who stays? Here is the soccersweep lowdown

Ashley Young – he looked a dead cert to leave Manchester United this summer after two years of really poor performances.

But Louis van Gaal has found a place for him in this new system and, even though he won’t start every game, he will be kept on as a utility player who can be deployed either side as a wingback or up top.

Decision: Staying

Javier Hernandez – he’s clearly got several serious suitors for his signature but Chicharito is another one who is proving to be a valuable asset to the current squad in his time under Louis van Gaal.

The decision about whether he stays or goes will depend on whether the new Manchester United manager brings in another striker this summer. But Manchester United don’t have many players with his pace.

Decision: Will be left up to the player

Wilfried Zaha – finds himself between a rock and a hard place in as much as he doesn’t look suited to the wingback role, like Ashley Young, and probably doesn’t have the instinct to be a centre forward

Decision: Off – perhaps on loan

Anderson – he didn’t feature on the tour and we believe the decision was made before America to let him go.

Decision: Off

Marouane Fellaini – Worryingly to some, Louis van Gaal s name checked Fellaini on a couple of occasions which may suggest that he is in Manchester United’s plans for next season.

It’s a bit of a shame that the Dutchman didn’t see the player at first hand in America because we believe he wouldn’t have been too impressed with Fellaini’s lack of technique. We still think he will go if a suitor is found.

Decision: Off

Shinji Kagawa – We have always liked him and would prefer him to stay. Obviously a quality player and if LvG wants to top players for each position then Shnji can be back up number ten for Mata.

Decision: Should stay but we fear he will go

Tom Cleverley – one of the few players who didn’t impress on the tour. He gave the ball away too frequently and really didn’t impose himself in the centre of midfield. Van Gaal may keep him on because he’s an English player who has come up through the ranks at Manchester United. But we don’t think he’s got anything to offer to the first team.

Decision: Off

Reece James: impressed in spates but will probably go out on loan.

Decision: Off on loan

Jesse Lingard: fantastic finish for the third goal against Liverpool and shooting is clearly his forte. But we don’t think his all-round game is up to scratch yet.

Decision: Off on loan

Tyler Blackett – for us he’s been the real bonus package on the preseason tour of America. Incredibly composed for one so young and is already a big strong and quick lad.

Decision: Staying

Michael Keane – another who has showed composure in the defence despite his tender age. Probably not quite as good at this point as Blackett but a decision about whether he stays or goes will be based on whether Louis van Gaal can buy more defenders.

Decision: out on loan if Manchester United sign defenders

Will Keane – hasn’t played too much on the tour and won’t be relied upon just yet to score goals for Manchester United.

Decision: Off on loan

Manchester United fans: who should stay and who should go?

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. collins kitur

    Aug 6, 2014 at 5:08 am

    united will thrive

  2. Peter

    Aug 6, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    You have not mentioned Nani in your summary, unless VanGaal can change the way he plays then he should go as well. He keeps the ball to himself too much

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