A year ago
Man United confirm SIX players leaving as free agents as their contracts expire today
Six players are departing Manchester United as their contracts expire on June 30. While three of them have primarily featured in the youth and academy teams, the other three have had notable roles in the first team. In an effort to revamp the team, coach Ten Hag has given his approval for the departures of Phil Jones, David de Gea, and Axel Tuanzebe.
Jones, who has struggled with chronic knee problems, has had minimal involvement since Ten Hag's arrival, making just five appearances in the last three and a half years. After a remarkable 12-year tenure at United, the defender's departure seems inevitable.
De Gea, who had been offered a reduced contract, ultimately decided to leave after United reportedly performed a U-turn on the terms. The Spanish goalkeeper had been a longstanding figure at the club, earning numerous accolades during his tenure. Ten Hag is now focused on bolstering the goalkeeping options, with Inter Milan's Andre Onana emerging as a prime target due to his previous collaboration with the Dutch coach at Ajax.
Academy product Tuanzebe is also bidding farewell to United as he has fallen down the pecking order at center back, behind the recent addition of Raphael Varane and the emergence of Lisandro Martinez. Tuanzebe had aspired to secure a place in the first team after joining their pre-season tour last summer, but personal issues hindered his progress and he struggled to regain a foothold.
Additionally, Ethan Galbraith, Charlie Wellens, and Di'Shon Bernard are among the players departing the club. The departure of De Gea has drawn attention, with former United star Rio Ferdinand expressing disappointment in the handling of the situation. Ferdinand emphasized De Gea's contributions over his 12-year tenure and highlighted the need for improved communication from the club when dealing with such departures.
Manchester United's decision to part ways with these players signals a desire for change and an opportunity to reshape the team under the guidance of coach Ten Hag. The departures, particularly that of De Gea, have brought scrutiny to the club's handling of player transitions, prompting calls for improved communication and learning from past mistakes.
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