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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Manchester United fans pick three players who should be sold in January

Manchester United fans believe that the club should look to sell Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard this month.

It's been a predictably quiet January transfer window for United so far, with no movement in either direction despite the club's openness to recruiting a new midfielder and several players wanting to leave Old Trafford.

United have 14 more days at their disposal if that is to change, with recent performances indicating that Ralf Rangnick's squad could certainly use a shake-up.

MEN Sport surveyed United fans and asked them what the club should do with the six players who had been linked with a departure the most during the winter window.

The player the most fans think should be sold is Martial, with a massive 85 per cent of the 93,671 voters calling for his departure, with a further nine per cent believing he should be loaned out and only six per cent wanting him to stay.

Martial would agree with them as the forward has made it clear that he wants to leave the club this month after growing frustrated with a lack of opportunities this season.

The Frenchman's relationship with United deteriorated further on Saturday when Rangnick claimed that he refused to play in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

"Yes, he didn't want to be in the squad," the interim manager said after the game.

"He would have been in the squad normally but he didn't want to and that was the reason why he didn't travel with us yesterday."

Martial moved to deny the claims later on Saturday night as he wrote on his Instagram story: "I've been here for 7 years and I never disrespected and never will disrespect the club and the Fans."

A move would seem to suit all parties, but Martial's sizeable wages and contract until 2024 make a permanent exit difficult. United are open to letting him leave on loan but any offer would have to cover his full wage for the rest of the season and include a loan fee.

La Liga side Sevilla did make an approach for the 26-year-old but their offer was rejected because it didn't meet those terms and they are yet to make another bid.

Martial was at Carrington on Sunday with the rest of the squad (Eamonn and James Clarke)

A share of 76 per cent of supporters believe that Martial's compatriot Pogba should also be sold this month, with 23 per cent thinking he should be kept and the remaining one per cent opting for a loan.

The midfielder's contract will expire in the summer and it's looking increasingly likely that he won't be extending his six-year stay at the club.

While trying to raise some funds in January instead of losing him for nothing in the summer would make sense, it doesn't look remotely likely given the fact Pogba is currently injured.

He hasn't played since October 24th as he missed two games through suspension, before suffering a thigh injury on international duty that is now set to sideline him until February.

Lingard is in the same situation as Pogba as he too looks set to leave on a free in the summer and 60 per cent of those surveyed think he should be sold. Only 30 per cent voted to keep him and the remaining 10 per cent said he should be loaned out.

Even though Lingard is fit and has been involved in recent games, he also seems unlikely to leave as he wants to see out his contract with the club before moving on at the end of the season.

Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard (Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Supporters were a little more split on the future of Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper looked set to take David de Gea's place this season but was laid low by Covid-19 throughout pre-season, opening the door for the Spaniard who has roared back to his best form.

That has left Henderson on the outs, with just two starts this season and none in the Premier League, and he wants to leave on loan this January to get playing again.

Rangnick doesn't want to let him go, however, and 43 per cent of voters agree. 34 per cent do believe he should be loaned out while 23 per cent voted for him to be sold.

Fans also made it clear that they want Edinson Cavani and Diogo Dalot to stay, with them earning 77 per cent and 78 per cent votes to be kept, respectively.

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