Eight players who could leave Man Utd in the January transfer window

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Planet Football
21st December 2021

After becoming Manchester United’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick will look to make some changes to the squad in the January transfer window.

United have already been linked with the likes of Amadou Haidara and Frenkie de Jong but a few players could also be leaving the club.

We’ve taken a look at eight players that have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford.

Edinson Cavani

Cavani enjoyed an impressive debut season at United in 2020-21, scoring 17 goals in all competitions and establishing himself as a fans favourite at Old Trafford.

He was persuaded to sign a one-year contract extension by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but lost his place in the side – and the No.7 shirt – following Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the club.

The Uruguay international has also struggled with injury problems this season and has scored one goal in eight appearances in all competitions.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona are set to offer Cavani an 18-month deal as they look to replace the recently retired Sergio Aguero.

𝑬𝒍 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓 grabbing the 🐂 by the horns 🔴#GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/FuTW4HTwG7

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 20, 2021

Anthony Martial

Martial’s brilliant solo goal against Liverpool on his United debut suddenly feels like a lifetime ago.

The France international, who also won the Golden Boy award in 2015, has struggled for consistency at United and is yet to live up to his immense potential.

After scoring seven goals in 36 appearances in all competitions in 2020-21, he fell out of favour and has started just four games this season.

“Anthony wishes to leave the club in January,” agent Philippe Lamboley told Sky Sports News earlier this month. “He just needs to play. He doesn’t want to stay in January and I will speak to the club soon.”

The 26-year-old has been linked with both Newcastle and Juventus so there’s a big chance that he’ll be playing in black and white stripes in 2022.

Paul Pogba

Pogba has just over six months left on his United deal contract and despite talks over an extension at the start of the campaign, the two sides are no closer to reaching an agreement.

Losing the midfielder as a free agent for a second time would be embarrassing for United and they could look to sell him in January if he doesn’t commit his future to the club.

“I wouldn’t say he’s not worth keeping,” interim manager Ralf Rangnick said recently. “But players have to want to play for a big club like Manchester United.

“If a player does not want to play Manchester United in the medium or long term, I don’t think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind.”

Pogba has been linked with a return to Juventus but PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly monitoring his situation as well.

Jesse Lingard

Alongside Pogba, Lingard is another player that is in the final few months of their United contract.

The England international enjoyed a productive loan spell at West Ham last season and hoped to force his way back into the United side.

Despite scoring in substitute appearances against Newcastle and West Ham, he has started just two games this season and talks over a new contract have been shelved.

United could potentially try to cash in on him in the winter window in order to avoid losing him for free at the end of the season. West Ham would be keen to bring Lingard back to Upton Park on a permanent deal and Newcastle are also interested in him.

89th minute winner for Manchester United vs West Ham.

It just had to be Jesse Lingard.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝘁 💥pic.twitter.com/TZUJJuzchX

— GOAL (@goal) September 19, 2021

Dean Henderson

After returning from his loan spells at Sheffield United, Henderson eventually usurped David de Gea towards the end of last season.

But he missed the start of 2021-22 due to illness and watched on as De Gea produced some brilliant performances and reclaimed his No.1 status at Old Trafford.

The goalkeeper has made just two appearances all season, starting in a League Cup defeat to West Ham and a Champions League dead-rubber against Young Boys.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Henderson is willing to leave the club in January and Ajax are looking to bring him to the Eredivisie.

Donny van de Beek

After being frozen out at United by Ole Gunnar Solskjaerr, Van de Beek was probably hoping to prove himself under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

But he started on the bench for Rangnick’s first two league games and is still behind Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho in the pecking order.

With the 2022 World Cup approaching, Van de Beek needs regular first-team opportunities to force his way back into the Netherlands squad.

The midfielder was linked with a move to Everton during the summer transfer window and they could reignite their interest if he remains on the bench.

READ: Ranking all 16 signings Man Utd made under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Phil Jones

Very much a forgotten man at United, Jones has made just eight appearances in all competitions since the start of 2019-20 due to a series of injury problems.

The centre-back is now fully fit but is behind the likes of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in the Old Trafford pecking order.

Despite his recent injury problems, The Sun report that Newcastle and Watford are among 13 clubs that are interested in his signature.

Juan Mata

Once regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, Mata now finds himself on the fringes of the United first team.

The 33-year-old is yet to make a single Premier League appearance this season and has started just two games in all competitions.

According to the Manchester Evening News, he is open to a move in the January transfer window unless he figures more regularly and Barcelona are reportedly looking to bring him back to Spain.