While there might have been a host of changes made at Old Trafford over the past couple of years, it’s fairly clear to everyone that Louis van Gaal (LGV) is expected to oversee an awful lot more this summer. The Dutchman is nearing the end of his first season in charge of Manchester United and the process of stamping his own mark on the squad is still very much ongoing. The likes of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao might have arrived at Old Trafford in big money deals since Van Gaal took over, but the club have made no secret of the fact that they are willing to back the manager in the summer as he bids to put together a squad capable of challenging for honours next season.

Even though this squad has come under some fierce criticism at times during this campaign, United are 8/11 at the time of writing with betfair to go on and finish in the top-four. The fast finish for the top four is shaping up to be a fierce race not unlike this one. But it won’t be just incoming players that help change the look of this current United squad, and there are a number of players who could be on their way out of Old Trafford in the summer should LVG decide they aren’t going to be involved next season. So, let’s have a closer look at the current squad and speculate as to whether they look set to be part of LVG’s future plans.

Goalkeepers

David de Gea

The Spanish goalkeeper has been one of United’s stand-out players this season and it’s clear that LVG will do everything he can to ensure De Gea remains at the club next season. Real Madrid have made it clear they are looking to sign a new keeper in the summer and De Gea is believed to be high on their list. One of the most talented young goalkeepers in the game, De Gea has shown just how important he is to this United side and Van Gaal will be well aware that keeping the shot-stopper at Old Trafford will be key to the club’s hopes next season.

Verdict: Stay

Victor Valdes

The former Barcelona keeper signed an 18-month contract at Old Trafford in January but has so far failed to make an appearance for his new side. While Valdes is a fantastic back-up to De Gea, the 32-year old’s future at United could depend on whether he is willing to play second fiddle to his compatriot next season. If he is, LVG will know he has two of European football’s best goalkeepers at his disposal.

Verdict: Stay

Anders Lindegaard

Lindegaard has been a solid if unspectacular back-up keeper during his time at Old Trafford but the Dane has made it clear he is looking to move on in the summer in order to find a regular first-team option. With De Gea and Valdes ahead of him in the pecking order, it’s probably fair to say Lindegaard needs to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Verdict: Go

Defenders

Rafael

The Brazilian right-back has never really fulfilled his potential at Old Trafford and now could be the time for Rafael to move on in order to further his career. While the 24-year-old has struggled with injuries this season, Rafael has fallen down the pecking order under LVG and a move looks likely.

Verdict: Go

Luke Shaw

It might have taken Luke Shaw a few months to really get going at Old Trafford but the left-back has slowly begun to show just why United spent £30 million to sign him from Southampton last summer. At just 19-years-old, Shaw has time on his side, and the England international will now be hoping to have his manager on his side heading into next season.

Verdict: Stay

Phil Jones

Say what you like about Phil Jones, the defender has proven during his time at Old Trafford that he can do a job for the team, the question is whether he should be a first-choice option. Whether it’s across the backline or in a defensive midfielder role, Jones is a decent back-up option for LVG and should be kept on next season.

Verdict: Stay

Marcos Rojo

The Argentina international may have been signed as a left-back challenger to Luke Shaw but the defender has soon found himself filling in as a centre-back this season. While it might not be the position he has been known for, the 24-year-old has done enough this year to show he could be a very useful player to have in the squad, although it remains to be seen where Van Gaal sees Rojo playing next season.

Verdict: Stay

Jonny Evans

He may have been a solid servant to the club during his time in the first team but the fact is that the Northern Irishman isn’t the calibre of defender that United need to win a title. Despite rarely letting anyone down when in the team, LVG will surely be looking at better defenders than Evans when the summer window opens.

Verdict: Go

Chris Smalling

Similar to Evans, Smalling is always going to be a solid-if-unspectacular player. That isn’t the sort of player who is going to hang around for long under Van Gaal. The England international was linked with a move away from Old Trafford earlier in the season and Smalling’s time in Manchester could be coming to an end as both he and United look to the future.

Verdict: Go

Daley Blind

The Dutchman showed during the World Cup just how good a player he is but Blind hasn’t exactly blown anyone away since his switch to Old Trafford last summer. Often played in midfield rather than his favoured defence, Blind has started to settle into life in England over recent months and United fans are slowly seeing just why Van Gaal was so quick to sign the versatile international following his arrival at the club.

Verdict: Stay

Paddy McNair

It’s been something of a baptism of fire for the likes of Paddy McNair, but the young defender has certainly done himself justice since his impressive debut against West Ham. Not many, including McNair himself, would have expected the 19-year-old to have made more than 10 Premier League starts by this point in the season and it can only stand him in good stead next year.

Verdict: Stay

Tyler Blackett

Unfortunately, the fact Tyler Blackett made so many first-team appearances at the start of the season was more down to United’s desperation at the back rather than the youngster’s talent. While he didn’t let himself down, it is clear that Blackett doesn’t have what it takes to make it at Old Trafford and a move could be the best thing for all parties.

Verdict: Go

Midfielders

Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria’s transfer to United last summer was a huge signal of intent to the rest of the Premier League. While the signing of the Argentina international wasn’t going to instantly turn this team into title challengers, it showed that United are willing to back Van Gaal in order to build a great squad. After an electric start to life in England, Di Maria’s form has slipped over the past couple of months but the midfielder is the sort of player LVG will be looking to build this team around rather than let leave.

Verdict: Stay

Adnan Januzaj

After such an impressive debut season at Old Trafford, it’s been a very different campaign for Januzaj under LVG. Not until recently has the youngster been given an extended run in the team, although the Belgium international has wasted little time in showing just what he is capable of and there is little doubt he has a future at the club.

Verdict: Stay

Michael Carrick

While it had looked as though Carrick would be on his way out of Old Trafford in the summer, it now looks as though the midfielder will sign a new two-year contract with the club. At a time when so many players are coming and going, having an experienced player like Carrick in the squad can only help Van Gaal.

Verdict: Stay

Antonio Valencia

Valencia might not be the marauding winger he was when he arrived at Old Trafford from Wigan in 2009 but he is possibly now even more important to this team than he ever was in the past. Played as a right wing-back, Valencia has shown there is more to his game and has been a solid defensive player under Van Gaal. But he has also offered an attacking threat down the flank. While he may never be one of the most high-profile members of this squad, there is definitely a place for a player as solid and versatile as Valencia.

Verdict: Stay

Ander Herrera

It took Herrera a couple of months to really find his feet in the Premier League but the midfielder has really shown what he can do since the turn of the year. The Spanish youngster has brought a creative and goalscoring edge in the middle of the park and Herrera could be one of the finds of the season.

Verdict: Stay

Marouane Fellaini

It’s not been an easy ride for Fellaini since his big money move to United from Everton, and while some of the criticism has been unfair, it’s fair to say things haven’t gone to plan for either the midfielder or the club. While there is no denying Fellaini is a decent player, there are a good few United fans who feel he is a player who doesn’t fit into how they like to see their teams play and wouldn’t be upset to see the Belgium international leave in the summer.

Verdict: Go

Juan Mata

Juan Mata has been a peculiar player since his arrival from Chelsea. While the midfielder has always appeared to play well when on the pitch, Mata has found it hard to nail down a regular first-team place this season, and there are some who feel the Spaniard could be on his way in the summer. The fact is that Mata wasn’t a Van Gaal signing. That could be what ends his Manchester United story at the end of this season.

Verdict: Go

Ashley Young

It’s been a weird few years for Young at Old Trafford. A goalscoring winger when he arrived, Young has found himself forced to play in a right wing-back position for large parts of this season. While the England international has been a regular under Van Gaal this year, it’s clear that he isn’t a long-term option in that position. Despite a promising start to life at United, Young has become a little stale over the past 18 months and a move could be just what he needs.

Verdict: Go

Forwards

Radamel Falcao

Many had thought Falcao would use this season to score enough goals to convince United to make his loan deal a permanent one in the summer. With just four goals to his name, though, it’s looking increasingly likely that United will have dodged a bullet in the summer if they, as expected, decline to take up that option. With United showing little interest in signing Falcao in the summer, Real Madrid are believed to be heading the race to sign the striker.

Verdict: Go

Wayne Rooney

This season has been a tough one for Rooney but the United skipper has shown time and again just how important he is to this team. Van Gaal has taken the decision to play Rooney much deeper than some United fans would like, and the England captain hasn’t scored anywhere near the level of goals he has done in previous years. While Rooney has played a crucial role for United wherever he plays, it would be good to see the 29-year old further up the field and scoring the 20-plus goals he has done time and again. But even if LVG continues to play Rooney in midfield, it would be tough to see a situation where the club captain leaves in the summer.

Verdict: Stay

Robin van Persie

While Van Persie might still be one of the most prolific strikers in European football, he is clearly a player who has struggled with injuries over the years. The Dutchman might have scored 10 goals this season but he has also missed a large chunk of the campaign with injury, the most recent coming in the defeat to Swansea. A fully fit RVP is still a huge asset, however, and United will know just how important it will be to get the striker injury-free next season. He might not be as young as he once was but Van Persie is still the sort of striker who can score the sort of goals that win a team a title.

Verdict: Stay

James Wilson

The youngster is still some way away from being a regular first-team striker under LVG but Wilson has shown more than enough to prove he could have what it takes to be a future United star. A loan spell next season could be the best way to continue his development but Wilson will be one that United fans hope to see regularly in the future.

Verdict: Stay

Posted on February 24th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article