Some of the returning Manchester United players may have hardly expected to return when the cars are cleared to drive through the barricades on Birch Road next month and approach the sign with a prospective replacement for 'AON.'
Now that Dean Henderson has withdrawn from the England squad, United has ten players competing in the European Championship and two in Copa America (Fred and Edinson Cavani). Both competition finals occur on the same weekend, July 10, therefore the United pre-season roster will almost certainly be diminished.
Henderson has been given a month off after checking in at Carrington on Wednesday for treatment of his glute and a small knee problem he's had for a while. Following England's European Championship performance, Marcus Rashford's shoulder and ankle problems should be treated.
After participating in summer tournaments, internationals are normally granted three weeks free, and the Premier League's August 14 start date should ensure that all of United's players are available for the visit of Leeds.
The Premier League has yet to say whether teams would keep their nine substitutes, and United's first-team section on the website includes 37 players, omitting the two goalkeepers set to be released.
It's easy to doubt Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's claim that there won't be "too many outgoings." Those of us who have weekly conversations with Solskjaer have learned to take some of his statements with a grain of salt. He is more candid and easygoing away from the cameras than the smiling spokesperson who sits in on news conferences and occasionally gets his foot in his mouth.
Last season, Solskjaer landed on a core roster of 23 players, but if United make four or five signings, he will struggle to keep it that trim. Tom Heaton would only be included if one of David de Gea or Dean Henderson were to leave and he was regarded as the number two.
Even without their tournament internationals, United will have a plethora of pre-season options, many of which will be surplus for the next season. Many of United's Euro and Copa participants could meet up with the team in Malta in late July, despite the fact that the trip has yet to be officially approved.
Andreas Pereira, who returned after a loan spell with Lazio, has about as much of a future at the club as his namesake Joel, who was discharged. When Jesse Lingard comes to Carrington next month, he plans to chat with Solskjaer about his future plans. There have been no proven cases of Covid-19 in England when Phil Jones last played. Tahith Chong's contract isn't up until the next year.
Teden Mengi, James Garner, Anthony Elanga, and Shola Shoretire are all in need of financial assistance. Last season, Elanga and Shoretire were not deemed ready for Football League experience, but they have since received the first-team experience with United, while Hannibal Mejbri has made his senior Tunisian debut.
Garner is ready for a Premier League loan after starring for Watford and Nottingham Forest in the Championship. In Derby's relegation struggle, Mengi showed bite, and a season in the Championship would be good. Brandon Williams will look for a loan after a lackluster second season.
Facundo Pellistri, one of United's more recent signings, will not be in Solskjaer's team next season, especially if the Jadon Sancho trade goes through. Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, and Edinson Cavani are United's current front three, as are Daniel James, Anthony Martial, and Amadou Diarra. If both Lingard and Juan Mata leave, at least one of James and Amad will be required to fill the void.
According to sources close to United's intentions for next summer, Paul Pogba's future is in jeopardy, as any midfield acquisition is contingent on his prospective transfer. Solskjaer is considering a system change that would need the presence of a specialist defensive midfielder, and it seems unlikely that United would consider keeping Pogba only until January.
United will be unable to afford a midfielder without selling substantial assets unless they rule out a bid for Sancho or Raphael Varane. If Solskjaer is willing to go ahead with the makeover, Pogba and Lingard could theoretically cover the cost of Declan Rice. United already has eight midfielders and needs to get rid of some of them.
What is the maximum number of players United should sell? Let us know what you think in the comments area.
Last season, both Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe were upset by a lack of playing time, and if United purchase a new center-back, something will have to go. Jones, who has been out for a year and has two years left on his contract, is almost unsellable, but United essentially gave Alexis Sanchez away last year with the same length of the contract.
Jones is unlikely to return to the team.
United's possible pre-season training squad
Heaton, Henderson, Bishop, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Mengi, Fish, Jones, Telles, Garner, Matic, Van de Beek, Pereira, Lingard, Mejbri, Pellistri, Amad, Martial, Greenwood, Shoretire, Elanga, Heaton, Henderson, Bishop, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Mengi, Fish, Jones, Telles
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