Manchester United face another massive summer in their quest to return to the top step of English football's podium next season.
Following a failed 2021/22 campaign, United, guided by manager Erik ten Hag, have started to correct some of those recent failings this season, offering encouragement that the good times are returning to Old Trafford. The Reds have already scooped one trophy and could end the season with another one after reaching the FA Cup final.
To take the club to the next level next term, Ten Hag plans to strengthen a handful of areas within his first-team squad this forthcoming summer, with the addition of a new striker right at the very top of his wish list. The former Ajax boss is also understood to be keen on recruiting a new right-back and a central-midfielder.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag hints at United transfer plans
Although it will be incomings that will excite the fans, Ten Hag, as reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, is planning for the club to be ruthless in moving players on. Several members of the first team need to leave M16 this summer, freeing up funds for the next phase of the club's rebuild.
As well as decisions needing to be made on the likes of Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial, United also have big decisions to make on a large number of their current loanees. As things stand, the club has 22 players out on loan, ranging from those at Premier League level to Non-League.
With that said, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what the future might hold for each of United's high-profile loanees ahead of the summer, and delivered a verdict on what the Reds should decide for each of them ahead of next season.
Dean Henderson
Goalkeeper Henderson has spent this season on loan at fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest. He was a regular fixture up until getting injured in January, racking up 20 appearances.
Although question marks remain about the goalkeeping department at United, Henderson is unlikely to have a long-term future at Old Trafford. He is a sellable asset and United should secure a decent transfer fee for him this summer. Several clubs have already been linked with his signature.
Verdict: Sell.
Ethan Laird
Laird joined QPR on a season-long loan deal last summer and was excelling until the Rs' season started to fall apart shortly before Christmas. Injuries have meant he has lost his consistency levels on a personal level in recent months, but he has been one of their better performers across the duration of the campaign.
His contract is up at the end of the season, but United do have the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months. The prospect of bringing in a new right-back could decide his future. United, though, ought to activate that extension and possibly send him out on loan again.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
Axel Tuanzebe
Tuanzebe joined Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the season in January and after overcoming some fitness issues he started to get into his stride, only for another injury setback to creep in. He has played just 18 first-team matches for three different clubs since the start of last season, highlighting that his injury woes are getting the better of him.
His contract expires at the end of this season and United need to let him go, even though they do have the option to extend his stay by another year. He turns 26 in November and is never likely to make the grade at Old Trafford.
Verdict: Release.
Alvaro Fernandez
Fernandez has been one of the most consistent performers of United's loan army this season, regularly producing strong performances for Preston North End. He has benefitted enormously from playing week-in, week-out in a competitive environment.
There was Premier League interest in his signature last summer and it is likely to be there again this time around. With Luke Shaw having nailed down the left-back berth at Old Trafford and Tyrell Malacia waiting in reserve, another loan move, this time to a Premier League club, could be what Fernandez needs for the next stage of his development.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
Hannibal Mejbri
After earning just three senior appearances for United prior to last summer, a loan exit was sensible for Hannibal this season. He joined Birmingham City for the duration of the campaign and he has racked up 39 appearances, scoring one goal and getting six assists.
Although there is no doubting his potential, will the pathway be there for him at United? The Reds are already well-stocked in midfield, want to add a new midfielder this summer and Hannibal is already a fully-fledged Tunisia international. He will want to play regularly, meaning the time, reluctantly, might be right for him to leave Old Trafford on a permanent basis.
Verdict: Sell.
Amad
Of the 22 players United have sent out on loan at various junctures this season, none of them have attracted as much attention as Amad. He has spent the campaign at Championship side Sunderland and has dazzled, playing a key role in their hopes of getting promotion through the end-of-season play-offs.
Creative, quick and blessed with a box full of tricks, the 20-year-old has exceeded expectations, scoring 12 goals and grabbing four assists. Beyond Antony, considering Jadon Sancho has played his best football for United on the left, the Reds do not have a suitable back-up. Amad could be that man.
Verdict: Keep.
Di'Shon Bernard
Bernard left Old Trafford in January to join League One side Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the campaign. The versatile defender, who can operate at both right-back and centre-back, has made a total of eight appearances so far, many of which have earned praise and recognition.
Under contract until 2026, Bernard's hopes of enjoying a lavish United career are not over yet. However, Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has already been discussing the prospect of keeping him permanently, meaning hopes of a career in M16 could soon be quashed. With plenty of traffic in front of him for a regular place, a permanent exit this summer feels logical for the sake of his career.
Verdict: Sell.
Charlie Savage
Alongside Zidane Iqbal, Savage caught the eye of many United fans during last summer's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. He is highly rated and a temporary loan move to Forest Green Rovers in January has meant that he has experienced first-team football in a competitive environment for the first time.
The most logical decision that could be made on his development this summer is to send him out on loan again, either to another League One club or see if he could handle the Championship. He has a future at Old Trafford, but he needs to gain more experience first.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
Shola Shoretire
Just like Bernard and Savage, Shoretire swapped Old Trafford for League One in January, joining Bolton Wanderers for the remainder of the season. The lively attacker, who has already made five first-team appearances for the Reds, despite only being 19, has played 15 times for the Trotters.
His performances have been largely uninspiring, meaning his hopes of forcing his way into Ten Hag's plans next season are slim. He will almost certainly benefit from another loan spell elsewhere, joining a club for the full duration of the 2023/24 campaign.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
Ethan Galbraith
After spending last season on loan in League One at Doncaster Rovers, Galbraith dropped down a level last summer, joining nearby Salford City for the campaign. He has been a regular fixture for the Ammies, playing 37 times, scoring four goals and getting three assists.
Considering he played in League One last season and League Two this, it suggests he is never likely to make the grade at United. For the benefit of his own career, United should let him go when his contract expires at the end of June.
Verdict: Release.
Charlie McNeill
After being keen to head out on loan to secure some first-team football for a while, striker McNeill joined Newport County in January. He has since made 18 appearances but scored only twice.
It is already evident that to aid his ongoing development he would benefit from another loan spell next season, preferably for a full season. League One or Two could be his best option.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
Will Fish
Youngster Fish joined Hibernian on a season-long loan deal on the final day of the summer transfer window back in September, just over two months after signing a long-term contract at Old Trafford, keeping him at the club until at least June 2025, plus the option of an additional year.
He has made 16 appearances for the Scottish club this season, impressing in several of them. It is possible that Hibs could look to sign him permanently and that could be a good move for the youngster.
Verdict: Sell.
Eric Bailly
Bailly joined French club Marseille on a season-long loan deal last summer and has since made 19 appearances. Marseille are not expected to sign him on a permanent deal, meaning he will return to Old Trafford ahead of next term.
As a result of United choosing to bizarrely extend his deal in 2021, he is still under contract until the summer of 2024 and he has the option of an additional year on top of that. United will have to accept they will make a loss and attempt to offload him this summer.
Verdict: Sell.
Alex Telles
Left-back Telles joined Spanish giants Sevilla on loan for the season last summer and has made 31 appearances, one of which came against United in the Europa League last week. He is out of contract at United in just over a year's time, but he does have the option of an additional year.
Despite that option being available, United should look to move the Brazilian on permanently this summer, even if it means cutting their losses. He hasn't got a future under Ten Hag and needs to move on for the sake of his career.
Verdict: Sell.
Matej Kovar
Goalkeeper Kovar left United on loan last September, returning to his native Czech Republic to join Sparta Prague. He has benefited from earning first-team football with the Czech giants, playing 25 times this season.
Under contract until 2025, as well as having the option of an additional year, Kovar is only 22, meaning he still has the potential to give United an option in the future. Goalkeepers don't hit their peak until later down the line, meaning he could be worth retaining.
Verdict: Keep.
Ondrej Mastny
Fellow goalkeeper Mastny left United on loan at the end of the January transfer window, joining Irish club Portadown on loan for the remainder of the season. The Czech has made nine appearances, meaning he has also benefited from some first-team football.
With changes likely to be made in the goalkeeping department and the aforementioned Kovar ahead of him in his development, United may have to offload the shot-stopper this summer - but only temporarily. A loan move in England could be the next stage of his development.
Verdict: Send out on loan.
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