Manchester United reportedly set for summer clear-out with Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Chris Smalling among NINE facing axe
Champions League shame and Manchester City walking title have prompted Mourinho to wield the axe and clear out Old Trafford flops
JOSE MOURINHO will clear the decks at Old Trafford with up to nine players set to be axed, according to reports.
A miserable week was completed with another limp display in the 2-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-final, with Mourinho fuming about his team’s showing on Saturday.
United finished sixth in the Premier League last year and will improve on that this season.
However they are miles behind Manchester City and the Champions League embarrassment highlights some players are not up to the task of challenging Europe’s elite, with changes inevitable, claim the
Luke Shaw is among a posse of players heading for the Old Trafford exit after his furious bust-up with the Portuguese boss.
The full-back was dragged off after 45 minutes against Brighton following his recent request to have a meeting to thrash out his future at United.
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Mourinho let rip at the 22-year-old, who was left in no doubt that he has little chance of repairing his relationship with his boss.
United will need to add to their midfield with Michael Carrick retiring, Marouane Fellaini set to leave and Ander Herrera’s future looking uncertain.
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The Spanish midfielder is recovering from a hamstring injury but has failed to have the same influence on United that he had last year and is said be on AC Milan's radar.
Juan Mata has been in and out of the starting line-up this term and could fall foul of the Mourinho axe for the second time in England.
The Spanish playmaker was sold to United in 2014 by the Special One when he was in charge at Chelsea.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones could also be sold as the Portuguese looks to beef up his defence.
Real Madrid star Raphael Varane admitted United are hot on his trail and that could mean trouble for the England internationals.
Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind have hardly featured this term.
Blind has been dropped from the Dutch squad to face England after making just three league starts this season.
Darmian could be used as a makeweight to allow Juventus star Blaise Matuidi to move to England.
Anthony Martial is another player who could be out the door this summer.
The fans' favourite is struggling to convince Mourinho he has a long-term future at the club with Juve keeping tabs on his situation.
Ivan Perisic is still high on United’s shopping list alongside Chelsea attacker Willian, with both providing the pace lacking in Mourinho’s midfield.
With all that on his agenda, the Old Trafford chief still has the headache of getting the best out £89million Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez, who have both been well below par all season.