United's embarrassing loss to bitter rivals City highlights issues
Manchester United were thrashed 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium by their arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday, bringing to light a number of issues, including the futures of Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo at the club.
Image credit: PA Images Changes are needed at Old Trafford after a lacklustre campaignNon-performance of stars
Pogba's contract with the club - like that of Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard - is coming to an end, and it is safe to anticipate that they will all leave. Lingard appears disappointed for not being allowed to leave in the January transfer window, and it is reported that the team management is not impressed by Cavani's frequent absences.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain to replace Kylian Mbappe. Due to the expiration of his contract with the squad this summer, Pogba could be snatched up on a free transfer by a major European club.
Ronaldo's United future also in doubt
Ronaldo, now 37 years old, has failed to live up to the club's expectations, and he is unlikely to want to play in a side that is struggling to finish inside the Premier League's top four.
Manchester United's camp is filled with a sense of bewilderment and disorientation, something that has been the case since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement a decade ago.
Captain Harry Maguire's defensive qualities, as well as his leadership ability, have been questioned, and he could be transferred next season as a result of his unpredictable and poor performances.
Manuel Akanji of Borussia Dortmund and Ronald Araujo of Barcelona are two prospective centre-back acquisitions for the team, while Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger is also being linked for next season. Lingard and Anthony Martial could also leave the club, paving the way for academy star Anthony Elanga, a promising offensive midfielder, to fill the void.
The signing of Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig, who is highly regarded by manager Ralf Rangnick, is rumoured for the right-back position. Pogba's replacement is most likely to be Christopher Nkunku. With Cavani and potentially Ronaldo set to leave next season, Rashford will almost certainly be pushed to the centre of the field.
Transfers may not solve Manchester United's structural problems in a single season though. The necessity for a management change is obvious, and the club will have to start from scratch to compete with their rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool. The problem is, having gone through so many managers since Ferguson's departure, who is the right fit for them?