Manchester United are ready to sell three players in the January transfer window, with Tom Heaton, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones free to leave.
According to a report by Football Insider, Manchester United are considering listening to offers for three players. And Tom Heaton, Axel Tuanzebe, and Phil Jones are on the chopping block at Old Trafford this month.
Erik ten Hag has not felt the necessity to use any of Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, and Tom Heaton profusely, and they seem to be surplus to requirements. The Manchester United manager wants to cut his squad to sharpen his depth and could sanction deals for all three.
Heaton has fallen in the pecking order following the arrival of Jack Butland from Crystal Palace on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign. The 36-year-old will be allowed to leave this month if any suitors want to take the player. But that is highly unlikely given his advancing age.
Meanwhile, Phil Jones has been under Manchester United’s folds since 2011. But the veteran English defender has failed to make a mark for a few seasons now. The 30-year-old can play at various positions, including centre-back and central midfield.
But persistent injuries have hampered his growth, and he featured just four times in the top flight last term. Jones has not appeared a single time this season. And given the depth in Manchester United’s central defensive arsenal, he is unlikely to get minutes under his belt.
As for Axel Tuanzebe, the youngster has been struggling with injuries and is yet to prove his match fitness this term. Manchester United recently triggered the one-year option for a number of players but will not execute that option for these players.
The Red Devils will let go of their fringe players, as ten Hag is building a squad capable of competing for trophies. Their recent victory over Manchester City only cemented their belief, and the transition will continue in the summer, too.
All three players will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs, as they are in the last year of their respective deals. Manchester United can terminate their contract to facilitate a move. But the chances of that are looking quite bleak at this moment.
