Forwards
MARCUS RASHFORD (Age: 21; Apps: 166; Signed: trainee; Contract expires in 2020 with option of another year)
The best player at the club in Sir Alex Ferguson’s eyes, the England striker will be at the centre of Solskjaer’s rebuilding operation. He has cut a somewhat sulky figure in some matches of late, which needs thrashing out of him quickly, and his form has dipped but he needs far better service from midfield and the wide areas. A little worryingly for United, he is in no rush to sign a new deal.
Verdict: Keep
ROMELU LUKAKU (Age: 25; Apps: 94; Signed: 2017; Contract expires in 2022 with optin of another year)
The Belgium striker is open to a move after being put in the shop window by his representative, Federico Pastorello, this month and if United get offered the right money for him Solskjaer will consider cashing in. Blows hot and cold far too often and doubts have long persisted over whether his playing style is the right fit, although he is the most proven goalscorer at the club and would need replacing very carefully.
Verdict: Sell so long as the offer is good
ANTHONY MARTIAL (Age: 23; Apps: 172; Signed: 2015; Contract expires in 2024 with option of another year)
Mourinho wanted to sell Martial last summer but that was vetoed by United’s board but Solskjaer is starting to discover why his predecessor had so many misgivings about the France forward, who has long faced questions about his attitude. Does he have the hunger and drive required and what about his errant decision-making? The hope that Martial would benefit playing under a manager who would put an arm around his shoulder and give him more licence to attack has yet to materialise and his performance level of late has been nowhere near good enough. He faces a huge next 12 months at Old Trafford.
Verdict: Keep but if there are not clear signs of improvement next season then sell
JESSE LINGARD (Age: 26; Apps: 165; Signed: trainee; Contract expires in 2021 with option of another year)
The worry for Solskjaer is how badly Lingard’s form has tailed off recently but he is a clever player, albeit one who needs to offer a greater level of consistency and score more goals. That may come with better, more driven players around him. Now 26, the England forward needs to be showing the leadership of a more senior player.
Verdict: Keep
ALEXIS SANCHEZ (Age: 30; Apps: 42; Signed: 2018; Contract expires in 2022 with option of another year)
The Chile striker’s signing from Arsenal is threatening to go down as one of the worst in Premier League history. United would happily cash in this summer but they would probably have to waive a fee and heavily subsidise his £500,000 a week wages for that to happen, unless an interested party from China appeared. Aside from his wretched form, Sanchez’s huge salary is destabilising United’s wage structure and leading other players to demand massively inflated salaries.
Verdict: Sell, and if he cannot be sold, subsidise a move elsewhere
MARCUS RASHFORD (Age: 21; Apps: 166; Signed: trainee; Contract expires in 2020 with option of another year)
The best player at the club in Sir Alex Ferguson’s eyes, the England striker will be at the centre of Solskjaer’s rebuilding operation. He has cut a somewhat sulky figure in some matches of late, which needs thrashing out of him quickly, and his form has dipped but he needs far better service from midfield and the wide areas. A little worryingly for United, he is in no rush to sign a new deal.
Verdict: Keep
ROMELU LUKAKU (Age: 25; Apps: 94; Signed: 2017; Contract expires in 2022 with optin of another year)
The Belgium striker is open to a move after being put in the shop window by his representative, Federico Pastorello, this month and if United get offered the right money for him Solskjaer will consider cashing in. Blows hot and cold far too often and doubts have long persisted over whether his playing style is the right fit, although he is the most proven goalscorer at the club and would need replacing very carefully.
Verdict: Sell so long as the offer is good
ANTHONY MARTIAL (Age: 23; Apps: 172; Signed: 2015; Contract expires in 2024 with option of another year)
Mourinho wanted to sell Martial last summer but that was vetoed by United’s board but Solskjaer is starting to discover why his predecessor had so many misgivings about the France forward, who has long faced questions about his attitude. Does he have the hunger and drive required and what about his errant decision-making? The hope that Martial would benefit playing under a manager who would put an arm around his shoulder and give him more licence to attack has yet to materialise and his performance level of late has been nowhere near good enough. He faces a huge next 12 months at Old Trafford.
Verdict: Keep but if there are not clear signs of improvement next season then sell
JESSE LINGARD (Age: 26; Apps: 165; Signed: trainee; Contract expires in 2021 with option of another year)
The worry for Solskjaer is how badly Lingard’s form has tailed off recently but he is a clever player, albeit one who needs to offer a greater level of consistency and score more goals. That may come with better, more driven players around him. Now 26, the England forward needs to be showing the leadership of a more senior player.
Verdict: Keep
ALEXIS SANCHEZ (Age: 30; Apps: 42; Signed: 2018; Contract expires in 2022 with option of another year)
The Chile striker’s signing from Arsenal is threatening to go down as one of the worst in Premier League history. United would happily cash in this summer but they would probably have to waive a fee and heavily subsidise his £500,000 a week wages for that to happen, unless an interested party from China appeared. Aside from his wretched form, Sanchez’s huge salary is destabilising United’s wage structure and leading other players to demand massively inflated salaries.
Verdict: Sell, and if he cannot be sold, subsidise a move elsewhere
