When Jose Mourinho is the manager of a club, no one in the squad is safe.
After all, this is the man who reduced World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger to an outcast training with the youth teams. Furthermore, his stranglehold on transfer activity only looks set to strengthen in the coming winter window.
His current Manchester United squad, excluding goalkeepers, currently reaches a total of 23 players. This proves a tally that far exceeds the roster Mourinho worked with at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Therefore, there’s never been a greater excuse for the Portuguese tactician to exercise his customary ruthlessness.
Moreover, given United’s current struggles in seventh place, it’s clear that change is needed and Mourinho could see a squad facelift as the necessary medium through which to do so. Besides, there’s no shortage of potential expendables.
In fact, according to the Independent, four players, in particular, are set to feel the wrath and impatience of the Special One. The men in question are:
MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN
The Frenchman has endured something of a mixed spell at Old Trafford. While his performances last season were far from poor, they certainly didn’t justify the faith Louis van Gaal had shown in him.
Furthermore, Schneiderlin’s game time has been further restricted by the arrival of Mourinho. Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and the small matter of Paul Pogba are being regularly preferred in midfield.
According to The Sun, the ex-Southampton man is free to go after making just two starts this season. Given United’s brimming midfield arsenal, despite his talents, Schneiderlin appears an obvious fall guy.
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
No surprises here. Since the summer switch in managers, Schweinsteiger’s Premier League experiment has plummeted from mediocrity to the first-team exile.
While the majority of supporters would contest such an exit, it would prove a move for which Mourinho would show great enthusiasm. After all, this season has served to exemplify just how frosty the relationship between the two is.
For the sake of the 32-year-old’s career also, a transfer away is something of a no-brainer. Although Schweinsteiger is renowned for his battling spirit, even his resolve will break before Mourinho’s stubbornness does.
MATTEO DARMIAN
Yet another of Van Gaal’s signings that don’t pass the Mourinho quality control. The Italian has been handed his fair share of game time at United yet has failed to live up to the original anticipation.
Darmian amassed a satisfactory 39 appearances last season yet proved nothing more than average. It has become apparent in 2016-17 that Antonio Valencia, despite having his own set of flaws, brings far more to the table offensively.
The 26-year-old is a promising prospect, yet isn’t good enough to ply his trade at Old Trafford. Besides, given the new manager on the block, he won’t be given much time to sway opinions.
MEMPHIS DEPAY
One of the worst signings in recent years. While the impending sale of Bastian Schweinsteiger might cause mass outrage, there can be nothing but compliance in Mourinho’s intentions to axe Memphis.
The Dutchman arrived as one of world football’s hottest prospects and the Eredivisie’s top scorer. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old has scored just twice in the league with the second of which coming in November 2015.
Mourinho doesn’t look fondly upon such inconsistent performers and a man with such focus on the short-term won’t let Depay’s age prevent a sale.
So, if reports are to be believed, United are set for a winter clear-out as means of ascending the table to the optimum degree.
In addition, all four players in question were signed, rather uncannily, by Van Gaal in the same summer of spending. It’s fair to say the Special One wasn’t too keen on his predecessor’s transfer activity.