Five stars may never play for Man Utd again as Erik ten Hag makes feelings clear

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has set his stall out and knows which players he can rely upon for the final few games of the season. The under-pressure Dutchman has not been afraid to rattle the cages of his players and several will already know that they have played their last game for the club, as Express Sport takes a look at those who are likely to depart in the summer without putting a United shirt on again.

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial is out of contract at the end of the season and reportedly will leave on a free transfer, ending the French forward’s nine years at Old Trafford. The latter few seasons of that spell have been ravaged by injuries, the latest coming via a groin issue that required surgery in January and it is unlikely that he will return before the final game of the season.

Martial arrived at United with plenty of promise after the Red Devils forked out over £50million to Monaco, but an inability to stay fit may well ensure that he has already played his last match for the club.

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Tom Heaton

Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has not made a single appearance all season and with his contract due to expire in the summer, may not get off the mark barring injuries to Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

The Manchester Evening News claim that while the 38-year-old has been disappointed with his lack of playing time this season, is hopeful of earning a new contract at the club, with the view of joining the coaching staff and continuing his United journey.

Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans has been a revelation this season following his return to the club on a free transfer, though only penned a one-year deal last summer and the new hierarchy have a decision to make on whether to extend the 36-year-old’s contract.

But after picking up what the club defined as a “short-term muscle issue” in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea nearly a month ago, Evans has been sidelined for the last four games and there is no certainty that he will play again this season, his last before the expiration of his current contract.

Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho’s future likely depends on whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co decide to keep Ten Hag at the club beyond this season, having fallen out publicly with the Dutchman before being sent out on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

Sancho has shown glimpses in Germany of the player United forked out £72m for in 2021, but United reportedly remain open to selling the 24-year-old permanently in order to raise funds this summer.

Should Sancho find a suitor willing to meet United’s asking price then it is unlikely that he will play for United again, having put himself in the shop window by guiding Dortmund to the Champions League semi-final.