Paul Scholes has given a brutal assessment of which players Manchester United should remove from their current squad.
With the exception of perhaps one or two stars, the futures of the Red Devils' entire roster is uncertain, as the club seek to navigate their new world under Ruben Amorim.
Additionally, United's co-owners Ineos have made no secret of their desire to cut costs in an effort to improve the club's financial position and with the January window open for another two weeks, there is expected to be a lot of activity at Old Trafford.
Scholes, who made 714 appearances for the club during his illustrious career, gave his opinion on which players he believes should be cast aside.
Many in the United dressing room will be relieved that he is not the decision-maker, as he cut as many as eight players from a recent starting XI.
Perhaps his most surprising call was to keep goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has come in for a lot for criticism since his arrival last summer and was at fault for two of Brighton's goals in last weekend's 3-1 defeat.
'I think I'd keep him,' he told TNT Sports. 'I still think there's more to come from him but for now, I'll keep him.'
Scholes was not so forgiving when it came to summer signing Matthijs de Ligt, likewise Lisandro Martinez. As for Englishmen Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, their injury problems played a part in Scholes' decision.
'I really like the player, he's just never fit. Sell.' Scholes said of the full back, who has made just three appearances this season.
However, the former England international was very certain in his belief that United should keep two of their young stars who have been linked with moves away, as the club try to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Homegrown players are worth 100 per cent profit on a club's balance sheet, and United are reluctantly willing to listen to offers for Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Mail Sport exclusively reported earlier this month that Chelsea are leading the race for the England star if he does depart.
Scholes has been vocal about his opposition to this move, telling TNT Sports last week he believes it to be a 'ridiculous' decision.
'It'd be absolutely ridiculous if the club had to sell him,' he said. 'All the hard work that the club had to do, he's been here since seven, eight years of age, Mainoo, and then you have to sell him for PSR rules? It's ridiculous.
'He's United's brightest spark, the leading man who could be here for the next five to 10 years.'
Naturally, the former midfielder echoed that sentiment and said the 19-year-old should stay. Garnacho, meanwhile, who was dropped by manager Ruben Amorim for last month's Manchester derby and has struggled to win back his place since, barely made Scholes' cut.
There was no such kindness afforded to Antony, Joshua Zirkzee, Casemiro or Marcus Rashford, who looks increasingly likely to remain with the club this month despite attempts from both club and player to end their unhappy marriage.
Rashford’s representatives spoke to Barcelona director Deco on Tuesday as the Catalans compete with Borussia Dortmund to sign him on loan until the end of the season.
Mail Sport reported earlier this month that Barca have held meetings with Rashford's entourage, with several European clubs tracking the wantaway forward.
Barcelona are understood to have always been Rashford's preference but given his £350,000-per-week wages, they would need to negotiate over the financial burden of a loan deal.
And further talks have now taken place between Rashford's representatives and officials from the Catalan club, which included sporting director Deco.
The talks were held in Lisbon, with Barcelona in Champions League action in the Portuguese city on Tuesday night against Benfica.
However, the club acknowledged their pursuit is currently stuck due to not having the salary space required to register Rashford should they be able to strike a deal with Man United.
Barcelona are reportedly hopeful they can offload Eric Garcia to ease their financial constraints, while Ansu Fati could also depart to free up space for Rashford, who is viewed as his replacement.
KingCarrot
0
Scholas wants to keep Onono so that there is someone to be blamed for another loss
TenHagout4sure
1
The moment he said keep Onana I skiped his videos
Preshpete
0
your subheading is so fuckin misleading
Vimbcdiknt
0
gelezer out there problem
Subadimoy
0
Ineos full of crap [ko]
Wekaeknorz
0
Too many talkers making United more laughing stock.
Bubbcepsy
0
In my opinion mainoo overrated man united should sell him he doesn’t track his runner Ugarte have to do most of the work that’s why midfield can’t work
Piuadenpz
1
garnacho
zutbklnsuy
0
Sell Onana, Lindelof, Eriksen, Casemiro, Mount, Shaw,Antony,Malacia Garnacho, Rashford. Heaton & Evans too. That is dozen gone.
SanLavaz
2
Almost 90% of the players that were sold by Man United are all doing well Elanga, De Gea ,Fred you name the , sell Rashford today or give him a loan spell , u will see a spark Rashford has got Man United in his blood system but seriously speaking there is something happening in the team , from the coaches to the management that we don’t know If Rashford is to be sold today and gets into an interview to reflect Manunited u will be surprised to know , even Casemiro Ronaldo said these things but people never understood we are beginning to get it now !!!!
Cityfanchamp23
1
3 or 4 bad games under United you are listed as chopped by man u pundits even they don't know what they want if Ruben lost 3 or 4 he will be next ,this failure of a club never give it's staff or players a chance
Dotabcilm
0
I will never blame the players but the management who allowed the United way of play. e changed by every coach coming in. Look at Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal they all are successful on the pitch and they kept their standards and improved by buying players who can play the way they are known to play. Those teams are successful. United have lost their standard and it is hard to go back again. Alex Ferguson kept and maintained their standards by promoting academy players and buying players who fit in the United way of play, that's why he was successful. Look now what we have new systems and all our academy players are being eyed elsewhere. There is potential in them that's why other teams hunt them and lure them to join their teams. I blame the Management and Coaches, they are the ones who are destroying Manchester United.
GaddafiJamal
0
Man United don't have a good plan when comes to sell players. It's not good to sell younger players then keep old horses in the field then you are expecting a good results no it can't. Look what Antony Elanga is doing now to Nottingham Forest. A very good good job but is from Man United. To me all those sucked Managers were not rong but the Board directors of Man United are out of their minds.
You Don’t Know Anything About Management, Shut Up. Which Club Will Buy Eriksen, Casmeiro & Other Washed Out Players If Not Saudi & For How Much? They Need Money, Huge Money & They Can Only Get That From Young Guys Performing. You Want Gyeokeros Who’s Around €80M & You Want To Sell Old Players That Will Cost €10-20M, When Will You Get That €80M? 🤔😂
Wiseknor
2
Man United don't have a good plan when comes to sell players. It's not good to sell younger players then keep old horses in the field then you are expecting a good results no it can't. Look what Antony Elanga is doing now to Nottingham Forest. A very good good job but is from Man United. To me all those sucked Managers were not rong but the Board directors of Man United are out of their minds.
Dante101
0
they ask to much momey for sub pah players United ego about their past victories are distroying them bit by bit.
Lembdiklmo
0
As for me this month is gone and nothing has happened so let's organise all our players and for a squad that can see us to the end of the season. During the the next window then we can sell all these players who is no going to improve though already on the sell list such re Mount the guy is doing nothing at man u only drawing salaries, Lindrof, Casmiro, Eriksen , Luke show, delight and his brother Maguire let all of these go even Rashford if he can't improve. I submit.
sazcdmoruz
2
so he wants to sell deligt who has been one of our better defenders and keep onana..what a clown
nehainory
0
Why can't you just create a list 😄😂
I'm telling you
Joabcknry
2
in one word, sell all ETH players.
ViperM34
2
Why can't you just create a list 😄😂