Mason Mount return, Antony move - 7 Man Utd players on Ruben Amorim scrapheap Chelsea could sign
There is almost certainly going to be imminent upheaval at Manchester United. Ruben Amorim has arrived at the club, taking over from the sacked Erik ten Hag and the Portuguese will be keen to make his mark on the playing squad.
Amorim started work at the club last week, overseeing the players left behind during the international break. And he will welcome back the entirety of his squad later this week once the international break comes to an end.
United start the Amorim era with a game against Ipswich Town this weekend coming, looking to get out of the bottom half of the table.
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When any new manager comes in there is a period of uncertainty for any player, with those on the fringes under a previous boss hoping to impress the new man. One thing you can be certain of is that over the course of the next two transfer windows, the United squad will change.
Not only will new players come in, but those who have failed to impress the new boss will be heading out of the door too.
And despite United's poor form this season, there are a number of players that could be of interest to their Premier League rivals. Chelsea have already gone to United in the most recent transfer window to secure a player, with Jadon Sancho making the move to west London on loan.
That loan deal will turn into a permanent move next summer, providing Chelsea finish within the first 14 places in the Premier League table. That deal will be an initial £20million, which could rise to £25million in add-ons based on performances at Stamford Bridge.
Could Chelsea plunder the United squad for any more players in January or next summer though? football.london asked Manchester Evening News writer Alex James for his thoughts on the United squad.
James said: "Casemiro has enjoyed something of a recent renaissance in the middle of midfield and may well start at Ipswich on Saturday. But he struggled last season and his age and wages mean his Old Trafford future is far from secure. Amorim might look for a younger option in the engine room and Casemiro must deliver again and again to show the new boss he deserves a starting spot.
"Fitness issues have hampered Luke Shaw and Mason Mount across their United careers and while both will look at 3-4-3 and feel they suit the shape perfectly, neither has a fitness record to be relied upon and both will want to ensure they stay injury free long enough to show Amorim what they can offer.
"Out of contract pair Johnny Evans and Christian Eriksen face uncertain futures and while both have plenty to offer in squad roles, Amorim is unlikely to view either as starters
"Antony heads the category given his poor form and huge price tag. It feels as though the Brazilian's Old Trafford opportunity has been and gone but he will hope Amorim can provide him with a lifeline.
"Tyrell Malacia made his comeback this week after 18 months on the sidelines and you sense it is now or never for him at United while Victor Lindelof and Tom Heaton are out of contract in the summer and are unlikely to be offered many minutes moving forward."
Heaton is unlikely to be of interest to Enzo Maresca given the number of goalkeepers Chelsea have at their disposal, while Eriksen, Evans and Casemiro do not fit the mould of a youthful Blues squad.
Given Ben Chilwell's snub, left-back could be an area Maresca looks to strengthen and Shaw or Malacia would certainly do that, while Mount returning to Stamford Bridge would certainly turn heads. An Antony revival in west London? Stranger things have happened...