Manchester United could lose as many as seven “disenchanted” players at the end of the season.
Ralf Rangnick’s side were on the end of a devastating 4-1 crushing by Manchester City, in a contest which saw Pep Guardiola’s side command 92% of possession in the closing stages of the second half.
It was the latest dispiriting and embarrassing humbling by a key rival, following their 5-0 home loss to Liverpool and 2-0 home defeat to City between October and November.
Unfortunately for the Reds, it could become even worse as various stories connoting a fractured dressing room have emanated in recent days.
And one of those understands as many as seven United players could depart the club at the end of the current campaign.
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BBC Sport understand United attackers Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Edinson Cavani are all expected to depart the club at the end of their contracts on the 1 st July, while Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Donny van de Beek, and Eric Bailly have also grown ‘disenchanted’ with Old Trafford.
Lingard, Mata, and Cavani have played a minimal input in United’s campaign, having become stuck behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, and Paul Pogba.
With contract talks appearing to be silent, the tripartite will likely be allowed to depart Old Trafford for nothing at the end of the campaign.
While Cavani, Mata, and Lingard’s contracts tick down, many other United players are strongly considering an exit.
Henderson, who displaced current No.1 goalkeeper David De Gea at the end of last season, is reportedly growing disillusioned having not played a single minute of Premier League football.
Reports from the Manchester Evening News also understand Bailly is also growing impatient at Old Trafford.
The Ivory Coast international is reportedly frustrated that he has constantly been left on the bench, despite the poor form of United captain Harry Maguire.
In addition, the future of loan players Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek are also up in the Old Trafford air.
Martial and van de Beek were sent on loan to Sevilla and Everton respectively, where they have both impressed with their early performances.
Van de Beek’s industrious displays under Frank Lampard have garnered plenty of praise, while Martial has contributed one goal and one assist since joining the La Liga giants.
Both players perilously fell out of favour with both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick, only managing two Premier League starts for the Reds.
However, a summer player exodus may be welcomed by former United captain Roy Keane, who stated many of United’s current crop should not be at the club.
"You should play with a bit of pride, it has to kick in at some stage," a furious Keane said after United’s loss at the Etihad Stadium.
"I could write down five or six players who I think should never play for Man United again. Just shameful, shameful.
"Subs coming on and you hope they're going to have an impact but they’re not prepared to run around. A couple of lads in midfield, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Maguire, Rashford came on, I could go on.
"The old saying of men versus boys. They gave up and shame on them."
