Manchester United: 3 players they must keep despite exit rumours

Manchester United's Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 27, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Donny van de Beek, Manchester United. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Van de Beek has endured a tough time since arriving at Manchester United to say the least. He was one of the most exciting young players in the world during his spell at Ajax and was a feature in the Netherlands national team as well.

Thus, there were high expectations when Manchester United signed him in the summer of 2020. Things have not gone the Dutchman’s way since then though.

He struggled to make an impact in the 2020/21 season and has barely featured this time around. According to stats from Transfermarkt, Van de Beek has made 12 appearances this season which have combined for just 361 minutes of football, and he has found the back of the net just once with no assists to his name.

The Dutch midfielder has spent the majority of his time on the bench although there have been calls from the fans for him to feature more.

It remains to be seen whether that will happen under the management of Ralf Rangnick. It must be said though that he looks more ready for Premier League football now than he did last season and has made some solid cameos off the bench this season. And it does feel like he has more to offer than we have seen.

Dean Henderson

In the second half of last season, Henderson had managed to move ahead of David de Gea in the pecking order at Manchester United and looked like the club’s next long-term number one between the posts.

Things have changed significantly this season though. De Gea is back to his brilliant best and Henderson has barely featured.

As a result, rumours have suggested that he is looking to leave the club in the near future. But without a top class back up option other than him right now, it might not be a great idea on the part of Manchester United to let the English goalkeeper leave in the middle of the season before signing a replacement.

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