As he prepares to return to leading the club’s Under-18s for the remainder of the season, Darren Fletcher made sure to dish out a few home truths to Manchester United’s superstars.
After United crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton, ensuring the fewest games in a season in 111 years, Fletcher made it known to players that they have 17 games left to prove they still have a future at the club.
He labelled the group ‘fragile’ and said that while a new head coach - an interim until the summer - will be expected to galvanise, it’s on the players to salvage another season that is threatening to unravel.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT assesses which players are at risk of being cut adrift moving forward, and who still has a role to play in the next inevitable rebuild.
Senne Lammens (Goalkeeper, 23)
Only arrived in the summer and while clean sheets are about as rare as sunny days in Manchester, Lammens has brought a sense of calm in goal that was missing with Andre Onana. Well worth keeping around for a rebuild.
VERDICT: KEEP
Altay Bayindir (Goalkeeper, 27)
United were shopping the Turk around in the summer and given the form of Radek Vitek out on loan at Bristol City, expect United to move on from Bayindir this summer and the 27-year-old to return to his homeland for a fresh start.
VERDICT: LET GO
Tom Heaton (Goalkeeper, 39)
His value behind the scenes can go unspoken about and so while he doesn’t play someone like Heaton is worth keeping in the building. Turns 40 in April and he’s already got his eyes on a post-playing role. Should land a job behind the scenes like Fletcher.
VERDICT: KEEP (NON-PLAYING ROLE)
Harry Maguire (Defender, 32)
The fact United have allowed his contract to run to its final few months means separation is soon to be on the horizon. He’s bailed United out on more than one occasion - Porto and Lyon spring to mind - and for as stoic as he’s been in rough times, United need a clean break from their former captain as they rebuild for the future. Will prove a major asset to whoever he joins next.
VERDICT: LET GO
Matthjis de Ligt (Defender, 26)
Strangely he is one of the most criticised defenders in the league by rival supporters, despite performing well up until a back injury sidelined him. Moving forward I think De Ligt plus one of Heaven or Yoro as the centre back pairing is the way to go for any new boss.
VERDICT: KEEP
Lisandro Martinez (Defender, 27)
As the best ball-playing centre back at the club, there is certainly a place for Martinez. He has had rotten luck with injuries but given his versatility as a No 6 option - as he showed away to Aston Villa - as well as at centre back, he’s a sensible squad piece to keep around.
VERDICT: KEEP
Ayden Heaven (Defender, 19)
Signed for £1.5million and has shown he is capable of being a started centre back in the Premier League. Not the finished article but at 19 he doesn’t need to be. Won’t be going anywhere.
VERDICT: KEEP
Leny Yoro (Defender, 20)
Has had a difficult season with more downs than ups but Yoro’s talent has never been called in to question. There was a reason teams like Real Madrid were jockeying to sign him while he was at Lille. This bumpy maturation phase should pay off in the longer term.
VERDICT: KEEP
Luke Shaw (Defender, 30)
Looked like he was reviving his career at left centre back under Ruben Amorim but with back three football set to be a thing of the past at United, feels like a good time for Luke Shaw to move on. Doesn’t have the athleticism he once had to play as a left back and after 11 years at the club, a clean break suits all parties.
VERDICT: LET GO
Patrick Dorgu (Defender, 21)
Has been at the club a year and has played left wing-back, right wing-back, left winger, and a right winger, in both a back three system and a back four. Has shown flashes of quality with some of his assists but is very much a work in progress. Deserves a fair shot under a new manager.
VERDICT: KEEP
Diogo Dalot (Defender, 26)
It’s no accident that whichever manager walks through the door they all praise the professionalism and work ethic of Dalot. But it’s time for United to freshen things up on both sides at full-back. Shaw and Dalot have had enough chances.
VERDICT: LET GO
Noussair Mazraoui (Defender, 28)
Versatile across multiple positions and while there aren’t too many highs, he’s a very good squad player to have around. United have a lot they need to fix but shifting Mazraoui shouldn’t be part of the rebuild.
VERDICT: KEEP
Tyrell Malacia (Defender, 26)
Was part of Ruben Amorim’s infamous bomb squad before finding a route back into the first team group, via the Under-21s and Under-18s, after a move to Elche collapsed. Won’t be here next season. Just a long, drawn-out exit.
VERDICT: LET GO
Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder, 31)
Between now and the end of the season there will be pockets of the fan-base calling to move on from Bruno Fernandes. There are also certain figures upstairs that would probably quite like it to happen, too. Getting rid of him would be complete idiocy… so they may well do it.
VERDICT: KEEP
Mason Mount (Midfielder, 27)
Arrived to great expectations under Erik ten Hag and then got to reboot things under Ruben Amorim. Mount works hard but that doesn’t mean he gets endless opportunities to live up to his £60m price tag. Last chance saloon territory for the Englishman.
VERDICT: KEEP
Casemiro (Midfielder, 33)
Has taken a lot of seriously unfair criticism in recent seasons but for a player that is the club’s top earner, that turns 34 next month, and is out of contract in the summer (save for a club option they are unlikely to trigger) a separation feels inevitable. United need a fresh start in midfield and that means moving Casemiro on.
VERDICT: LET GO
Manuel Ugarte (Midfielder, 24)
It just hasn’t worked out since he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain and it is in everyone’s interests to go separate ways in the summer. Ugarte’s career is stalling for a player that is just 24 and United’s midfield is set for major surgery.
VERDICT: LET GO
Kobbie Mainoo (Midfielder, 20)
One of the storylines of the season to this point. Given he’s started just two matches - against Grimsby Town and Brighton - he deserves a fair crack of the whip under new management to prove his quality. With major midfield additions expected in the summer, he’s on the clock to make his case to be a No 1 option.
VERDICT: KEEP
Matheus Cunha (Attacker, 26)
Has produced plenty of performances where only the eye test can underscore just how important he was. He’s also produced plenty of performances devoid of the quality many expected after his £62.5m move from Wolves. Still think he rises to the challenge as his time at United wears on.
VERDICT: KEEP
Bryan Mbeumo (Attacker, 26)
The best of their summer signings and is at no risk of being moved on from any time soon. Premier League proven and is the club’s top scorer this season. At a prime age and has broad enough shoulders to play for a club the size of United. No brainer.
VERDICT: KEEP
Joshua Zirkzee (Attacker, 24)
Looked destined to leave with Ruben Amorim in situ but United have pivoted away now that Amorim has been sacked. Still feels like it would be a miracle to see him in a United shirt for the start of next season.
VERDICT: LET GO
Amad (Attacker, 23)
A move away from wing-backs and a back three system has raised questions about where Amad fits in given he plays on the same side as Bryan Mbeumo. Far too talented to even consider moving on from. Needs a prominent role in any United line-up moving forward.
VERDICT: KEEP
Benjamin Sesko (Attacker, 22)
Having cut their losses on Rasmus Hojlund, £73m man Sesko is now the only No 9 at the football club and so, simply put, they have to make it work out long term. Showed exactly what he can do when he gets quality service.
VERDICT: KEEP