Five Man United players could be culled in brutal Ruben Amorim squad decision

Ruben Amorim has been meeting his Manchester United players for the first time this week with warm hugs. A number could be set for a goodbye handshake next summer.

As many as 14 first-team players were let go during the last transfer window in what was the club’s biggest clear-out for some time. But the reality is that a few more will be shown the door next year with Amorim expected to adopt his 3-4-3 philosophy honed at Sporting CP.

A handful of players will become surplus to requirements as a result, while those who are ageing might be at risk of exiting, with Amorim traditionally operating with a younger squad at Sporting. For example, the average age of his back three in Portugal was 21.

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The median is unlikely to be that low at United but the average age of the squad could reduce under Amorim. And those who are on the fringes of the squad might also be culled.

Antony

The Brazilian was on shaky ground under the manager who brought him in and he will have to go some to impress new boss Amorim. Antony has arguably slipped down to fourth right-wing option behind Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Marcus Rashford when switched over.

MEN Sport understands United are tracking 17-year-old Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, a right winger. That seems ominous for Antony.

Christian Eriksen

Eriksen has been playing well in recent months having been linked with an exit over the summer. However, there are questions over how the attacking midfielder, who turns 33 in February, will fit into Amorim’s system.

Only two central midfielders are needed in his 3-4-3 formation and Bruno Fernandes is due to be one of them with the other will likely be a more defensive-assured option. Eriksen’s contract expires next summer, by which time it will be obvious whether or not he is still needed.

Tom Heaton

Heaton is a popular figure around the club and provides a wealth of experience while helping to meet the required homegrown quota. He has been vital in helping new goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir bed in since their 2023 arrivals.

But he has played just three times since his return to United in 2021 and not once in the last 21 months. Turning 39 in April, there is only so much scope for off-field impact to warrant a squad wage, especially with his deal expiring this summer.

There is every chance he is asked to stay on as a coach, which seems the logical next step for all parties. It also would chime in with Amorim’s relatively young backroom staff too.

Victor Lindelof

Lindelof was one player United were willing to offload last summer, to no avail. The Swede is towards the lower end of the centre-back pecking order and is out of contract in June.

Harry Maguire is too but it seems more likely that the England defender will have his one-year extension triggered than for the club to offer Lindelof new terms. United currently have six centre-back options, not including the malleable Luke Shaw, which seems a little excessive.

Jonny Evans

Evans has arguably been United’s best defender this season, having thoroughly deserved his one-year renewal after last campaign’s showings. But a 36-year-old should not be showing up his younger colleagues at this level.

United brought him back in to be a supporting figure rather than a first-choice pick but the current form of defenders, in conjunction with Evans’ own solid form, meant he became one of Erik ten Hag’s go-to men.

Evans sees his contract expire this summer and, given Amorim’s track record, it seems less likely that he will be handed a renewal this time. Like Heaton, though, it would be a shame to lose that experience from the United set-up.

Evans knows what being a United player means. He is the only squad member to have lifted the title, after all.