Erik ten Hag has been urged to help oversee a huge Manchester Untied clear-out (Picture: Getty)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been urged to begin his Manchester United regime by leading clear-out of 11 underperforming players by Dean Saunders.
A new era at Old Trafford began last night with a classic comeback victory which saw Erik ten Hag’s side score three second half goals to complete a 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
Two goals from Alejandro Garnacho allied to Rasmus Hojlund’s first Premier League goal for the club since his £72million transfer sent the home fans happy, but Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, Sir David Brailsford, will have been left with a clear impression of the task he faces in order to restore United to their former glories.
Former Villa striker Saunders believes the new minority owner was given a helping hand by Ten Hag’s decision to get rid of long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea in the summer but believes there are close to a dozen high-profile players who also need to be ushered through the exit door.
He told talkSPORT: ‘Man United don’t work hard enough. There’s a lot of players there who have survived five managers and they’ve got to leave the club.
‘The manager has tried to get rid of a lot of them and the players know. For a start I’d have got rid of De Gea.
‘He just sat behind the back four and didn’t say a word. Peter Schmeichel would’ve had them by the throat.
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‘He’s not even got a club that shows how much he loves football. The candle has gone out. How can you not play football for six months.’
Saunders continued: ‘Luke Shaw’s been there for too long, Dalot’s not good enough. Varane is a good player obviously but it’s not happened for him. Jonny Evans is not good enough now. Wan-Bissaka he’s tried to get rid of him.
‘McTominay he doesn’t think is good enough. If you play for Man United in the middle of midfield you’ve got to be one of the best players in the world. You’re not playing for Crystal Palace. Man United can choose anyone they want.
Dean Saunders is confident Rasmus Hojlund will turn out to be a good signing for Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
‘Rashford has been there too long. Martial? I’d drive him to the airport. Antony drive him to the airport. Hojlund I think is going to be good.
‘Fernandes could sit down and aruge with me ‘look at my stats’. Sancho playing on his PlayStation on 350k-a-week? I’d drive im to the airport. I don’t know how you’re going to get out of that, there’s so much money involved they will lose a fortune.
‘Maguire? get rid of him. He’s tried to get rid of him four times… he knows. He plays Luke Shaw at centre-half.’
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Saunders did admit to being a fan, meanwhile, of last night’s man of the match, but warned Alejandro Garnacho could go the same way as his predecessors.
‘Garnacho is a young lad that if you’re careful will get dragged in with the lazy wingers they’ve had,’ he added.
‘He needs to be in a dressing room with good professionals.’
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