Manchester United’s retained and departing players list has been sent to the Premier League. The club have also confirmed that they have offered contracts to several players (via the club’s official website).
Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Christian Eriksen are the notable players leaving the club. The trio are leaving on a free transfer.
Evans, an academy graduate, spent two stints at the club. He made 241 appearances and notched fifteen goal contributions.
He won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Club World Cup, and one League Cup during his first stint, and he won the FA Cup in his second spell.
Lindelof spent eight seasons with United. He played in 284 games and recorded 11 goal contributions. The Swedish defender won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with the Red Devils.
Eriksen made 107 appearances for United and chipped in with 27 goal involvements. He won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup at Old Trafford.
While goalkeeper Tom Heaton is on the list of players leaving United on a free transfer, United are still in talks with him over a new contract.
The implications of the departure of Evans, Lindelof and Eriksen for United
Evans and Lindelof’s departures mean United has five senior centre-backs left in their squad.
However, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw can also play as centre-backs, while youngster Tyler Fredricson is another option.
While they have been linked with several centre-backs, United can make do with their current options in that position.
The Mancunian Giants do not need a big squad next season due to the lack of European football. Manager Ruben Amorim should be able to make do with the current centre-back options.
However, they may need to replace Eriksen. Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro and Toby Collyer are the natural central midfielders left, but none is as dynamic as Eriksen.
Despite the Denmark international’s lack of game time last season, Bruno Fernandes was the only midfielder with more goal involvements than him.
United struggled to dominate games in the Premier League last term, and Eriksen’s departure should allow them to bring in another midfielder.
United have now saved £17 million from their yearly salary budget due to Lindelof, Eriksen, and Evans’ exit.
It remains to be seen whether it will help their transfer activities this summer.
Complete list of players leaving on a free transfer
Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Hubert Graczyk, Tom Heaton, Jack Kingdon, Victor Lindelof, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan, Tom Wooster.
Retained players
Sonny Aljofree, Amad Diallo, Harry Amass, Antony, Zach Baumann, Altay Bayindir, Rhys Bennett, Gabriele Biancheri, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jacob Devaney, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, Ethan Ennis, Jayce Fitzgerald, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Tyler Fredricson, Alejandro Garnacho, Dan Gore, Elyh Harrison, Ayden Heaven, Rasmus Hojlund, Joe Hugill, Amir Ibragimov, Louis Jackson, Jaydan Kamason, Sekou Kone, Shea Lacey, Samuel Lusale, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Sam Mather, Noussair Mazraoui, Finley McAllister, Dermot Mee, Ashton Missin, Jack Moorhouse, Mason Mount, Will Murdock, Victor Musa, Chido Obi, Habeeb Ogunneye, Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford, Tommy Rowe, Jadon Sancho, James Scanlon, Malachi Sharpe, Luke Shaw Jim Thwaites, Manuel Ugarte, Radek Vitek, Ethan Wheatley, Ethan Williams, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee.
Scholars offered contracts
Dan Armer, James Bailey, Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Fred Heath, Godwill Kukonki, Bendito Mantato, Albert Mills, Reece Munro James Overy, Dante Plankett.
