Five players Van Gaal should axe at Man United
Despite claims to the contrary, the likelihood is that Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be heading into the transfer market once it opens for business again in January.
Although a £149 million summer splurge would have sufficed for most clubs in world football, let alone in the Premier League, the hierarchy at Old Trafford have assured van Gaal that even more funds will be available in the new year should the Dutchman wish to recruit some more players, as the Red Devils desperately attempt to secure a swift return to the Champions League. However, the United boss may also be expected to offload some of the current crop at the club before he brings out his chequebook; here are five United players that van Gaal should think of ditching:
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1. Chris Smalling
It’s always sad seeing a young English footballer leave a club of United’s stature, yet the brutal reality is that Smalling simply is not good enough to be playing for the Red Devils. His daft red card in the Manchester derby last month highlighted the fact that the defender remains prone to making rash decisions, and having made just seven appearances this season, it is clear that Smalling is not rated too highly by van Gaal either. Indeed, his recent run in the side has been down to necessity rather than choice, with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael all absent through injury. A move to a mid-table Premier League side – who could offer him regular first-team football – might be beneficial for the 25 year-old in the long run.
2. Radamel Falcao
It’s not that the Colombian is not good enough for United – he has proven himself to be one of the finest strikers in the world over the past few years at Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco – it’s just that retaining the services of Falcao beyond his initial one-year loan period represents too much of a financial risk for the Old Trafford side. His miserable record with injuries has followed him to Manchester; he has missed more than half of United’s games this season, and has just one goal to show for it. As sensational as the deadline-day signing was at the time, the signs indicate that a success story for Falcao at United just wasn’t to be. Van Gaal is unlikely to get rid of the 28 year-old in January, yet he would be wise to look elsewhere for cheaper attacking options in the summer once Falcao’s loan spell comes to an end.
3. Ashley Young
Often subjected to much criticism and consternation from both his own supporters and those of the opposition last season, Young has at least been given a chance by van Gaal during the current campaign. However, this has usually come when United have been faced with a paucity of options due to injury, as evidenced by his recent use as a full-back in Luke Shaw’s absence. The fact is that Young is a long way from making the starting eleven when the Red Devils are at their strongest, and given that the winger is being played out of position even when he does appear for the side, it seems that van Gaal doesn’t exactly view him as indispensible to United’s chances. Young turns 30 next year; he may wish to see out the twilight years of his career at a club where he can play in the position he loves.
4. Anderson
Hardly a surprising one, this, the Brazilian has been on the periphery of United’s first team for a number of seasons and was recently branded as being too unfit by van Gaal, which suggests that his days at Old Trafford are numbered. If an inauspicious loan spell at Fiorentina last season having failed to impress even David Moyes wasn’t portentous enough, then the fact that he has made just two appearances all season should surely hint to the 26 year-old that seeking another club in January is probably for the best if he is to revitalise his career.
5. Wilfried Zaha
Another player who looks destined to leave Old Trafford, Zaha arrived at the club from Crystal Palace as one of Alex Ferguson’s last signings in January 2013 amidst much fanfare. However, the 22 year-old was immediately sent back to the Eagles on loan, and despite making a handful of appearances for United at the start of last season, he was again loaned out for the second half of the campaign, this time turning out in the red of Cardiff City. The appointment of Van Gaal as United boss in the summer offered a glimmer of hope to Zaha due to the Dutchman’s track record of showing faith in youth, yet he finds himself once again playing at Selhurst Park in a second loan spell at Palace. Clearly not a part of United plans, Zaha should secure a permanent move away from Old Trafford to ensure that his still fledgling career doesn’t stagnate.