Ten Hag ‘intent on clear-out’ with Newcastle target among five Man Utd players to be axed | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag is reportedly ‘intent on a clear-out’ this summer and Ben Jacobs has picked out five players who are likely to leave Man Utd.

The Dutchman has done a great job at Old Trafford since he took over ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

He has overcome early-season difficulties and the Cristiano Ronaldo saga to guide Man Utd to the final of the Carabao Cup. They are also well-placed to finish in the top four this term.

Ten Hag will no doubt be keen for his side to kick on again next season so they can challenge for the Premier League title.

To make this happen, United will be looking to offload some players in the summer to raise funds for potential recruits.

Jacobs has predicted that Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Alex Telles are all ‘possible exits’ later this year.

‘Manchester United are expected to have a number of outgoings this summer. Erik ten Hag is clearly intent on a clear-out,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.

‘Harry Maguire could leave Manchester United this summer because Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are keeping him out of the team. But Ten Hag still appreciates Maguire and his overall influence on the dressing room. That’s why he didn’t want to let him go in January.

‘Maguire seems to be linked with a new club every day: Inter Milan, West Ham, Aston Villa, Chelsea, even a return to Leicester… but there’s not always a great deal of substance. The first consideration with Maguire will be how much game time he gets between now and the end of the season.

‘Anthony Martial and Alex Telles are two possible exits. Martial has had a torrid time with injuries and despite scoring in the League Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest, is back on the sidelines again.

‘Martial has missed over 20 games this season and although Ten Hag has been impressed by his attitude, his injury record might be a factor in letting him go. Lyon are still quite keen on bringing him back, especially under ambitious new owner John Textor. West Ham and Newcastle have looked in the past, too.

‘Meanwhile, I would be surprised if Alex Telles isn’t sold and Sevilla, where he’s on loan, are hopeful of buying him, but they’ll potentially need a cut-price deal.’

Jacobs went onto report that Scott McTominay is an ‘interesting outgoing’. Newcastle have ‘genuine interest’ in the Scotsman.

Ten Hag ‘didn’t want to let him go in January’ but it is indicated that it could be a ‘different story’ in the summer.

The journalist finishes by stating that Donny van de Beek is ‘clearly available if the right offer comes in’. But he is in a ‘tricky’ situation with him currently out of action through injury.

Van de Beek is unlikely to be fit until the summer but Jacobs ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if he ‘sticks around through pre-season and tries to show what he’s capable of’.