Manchester United’s transfer activity this summer has virtually been non-existent, both with regards to new signings and departures.
Whilst many fans will have predicted slow business for fresh recruits coming through the doors, given the board’s incompetence, many would have at least hoped that exits would have been swift and prominent.
The club permanently cut ties with five senior names last year, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to remove stagnated figures from his squad, as part of his rejuvenated rebuild of the dressing room. This summer, just one player has departed – Alexis Sanchez on a free.
Despite a lack of activity surrounding exits, there has been plenty of noise linking some unwanted names with a move. Chris Smalling has been the most prominent, after he impressed on loan at Roma last season. The Italians are keen to bring the defender back on a permanent basis, but remain distant from United’s £20m valuation of the player.
Smalling isn’t the only central defensive figure being rumoured to depart either, as Marcos Rojo has always been surplus to requirements. The Argentinian has become quite the forgotten man at Old Trafford, featuring just 17 times in the Premier League since the start of the 17/18 season.
United are seemingly preparing to offload both players, as according to the MEN, the two defenders are training in their own bubble ahead of possible transfers.
Rather than coming into contact with the rest of the squad, Smalling and Rojo have been placed into their own individual training regimes. This limits the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, and would simplify a potential move to a new club.
Neither player looks set to break back into the first-team picture, particularly following Teden Mengi’s recent promotion. Instead, the two defenders are on course to say their farewells to the club.
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