Stay or Go: Deciding the fate of Manchester United's squad post-Ten Hag

Manchester United's decision to sack Erik ten Hag has left behind a squad who might be looking over their shoulders regarding their futures. Many of the current crop at Old Trafford were signed by the Dutchman, and a new manager might want to make huge changes.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that United are in talks with Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim over succeeding Ten Hag. He's open to taking over the Red Devils which will undoubtedly mean a rebuild, yes another rebuild, is overseen by INEOS.

Here, we examine the entire United first team and consider whether their futures are on the line in the post-Ten Hag era.

Manchester United squad: Stay or Go

Goalkeepers

Andre Onana - Stay

The Cameroonian shot-stopper has turned a corner this season with excellent performances. He's arguably been the Red Devils' best player and United would be far worse off without him.

Altay Bayindir - Stay

The Turkish goalkeeper wasn't given a chance under Ten Hag even in domestic cup competitions, with just two appearances to his name. He deserves to be given a fresh start.

Tom Heaton - Stay

Heaton is a popular figure in the dressing room and he has a motivational presence that helps the younger generation. He's to United what Scott Carson is to rivals Manchester City.

Defenders

Victor Lindelof - Go

The Swede has been at United since 2017 and the time is now for him to move on and allow INEOS to completely rebuild the squad. He's been a reliable servant but looked mistake prone lately.

Noussair Mazraoui - Stay

Just signed in the summer for a reunion with Ten Hag, and he's shown glimpses of promise at right-back. He's impressed defensively and could be the first-choice right-back over Diogo Dalot when all left-backs are fit.

Matthijs de Ligt - Stay

It was a tough start for De Ligt whose performances were under the microscope from the get-go. That said, the Dutchman has shown much improvement in recent weeks and could impress under a tactician like Amorim.

Harry Maguire - Go

If INEOS are to continue their rebuild in January, then they'll need to sanction high-profile sales. Maguire is one of them, and his contract expires in the summer. He's bounced back from a period of unjustifiable abuse but it's time to part ways.

Lisandro Martinez - Stay

The Argentine has concerningly regressed this season and been poor but this might be the effects of spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He's been a fine ball-playing defender for most of his United spell.

Tyrell Malacia - Stay

Malacia is more likelier than Luke Shaw to accept playing backup to a first-choice left-back. Both have been a major problem due to injury issues but the Dutchman should be back in action soon.

Leny Yoro - Stay

The highly-rated French teenager is arguably one of the most exciting signings of the INEOS regime. He should be thrown into the starting XI when fit.

Diogo Dalot - Stay

Dalot is on thick ice amid a poor run of form this season that is going under the radar. He's looked timid in defense, making reckless decisions. He should be given more time but there are doubts.

Luke Shaw - Go

The time has come for the English left-back to be moved on as he's just not able to stay fit. He's one of Europe's best full-backs when available but he's too unreliable and Manchester United should look elsewhere.

Jonny Evans - Stay (Coaching role)

The Northern Irishman has found himself playing more football than he anticipated when re-joining the Reds. He's rarely put a foot wrong but given his age (36) he should be moved into a potential coaching role.

Harry Amass - Stay

Why Ten Hag didn't trust the English teenager at left-back amid an injury crisis in that position is beyond me. He was excellent during pre season and showed similarities to Shaw with his pace and eagerness to be an option on the overlap.

Midfielders

Mason Mount - Go

It's unfortunately over for Mount whose United spell has gone from bad to worse with each passing month. He was never this injury prone at Chelsea which makes his siutuation so confusing.

Bruno Fernandes - Stay

The Portuguese playmaker has been dissapointing this season but could shine under a new manager at Old Trafford. Rival fans continue to question his abilities, but United fans know about how important and talented he is and can be when flourishing.

Christian Eriksen - Go

A surprise standout performer in Ten Hag's last season at United, the Dane has been a shining light in a dismal 2024-25 campaign. He looks certain to depart next summer when his contract expires and that's probably best for all parties.

Casemiro - Go

The veteran Brazilian midfielder is an interesting one as he looked certain to be offloaded in the summer. He's put in topsy-turvy form and it will be important to se how he fares under a new coach. Either way, his age (32) puts him in the sale category.

Manuel Ugarte - Stay

If it is Amorim who succeeds Ten Hag then there may not be a United player more delighted than Ugarte. The Uruguayan thrived under the Portuguese tactician at Sporting CP with his tackling and work rate.

Kobbie Mainoo - Stay

The English midfielder is the future of United and a refresh under new management will only help him further develop. He needs to be handled properly as injuries have taken their toll as of late.

Toby Collyer - Stay

The Red Devils have a youthful squad and Collyer (20) is an exciting midfield talent who is slowly being intergated into the first team.

Dan Gore - Stay

Gore is in a similar situation to Collyer, the same age and a similar profile. Just needs more game time after a loan spell at Port Vale last season.

Forwards

Rasmus Hojlund - Stay

The Dane needs to show more anger and selfishness but he is an attacking talent who has shown he can lead the line. He needs to add goals to his game though.

Marcus Rashford - Go

It's time to sell Rashford and do a complete reset at Old Trafford and that's not disregarding his abilities. The English forward is too inconsistent and the Reds need a frontline who are on song at all times.

Joshua Zirkzee - Go

Of all the signings of INEOS' regime so far Zirkzee stands out like a sore thumb, not adapting to English football at all. It just looks like it won't work out for the Dutchman.

Amad Diallo - Stay

Watching Amad come on in the dying embers of the 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce frustrated every United fan. He's one of the most talented players at the club.

Alejandro Garnacho - Stay

There needs to be caution with Garnacho as there's an over-expectation that he should be a star man at this time. He's brilliant to watch and plays with a hunger and determination many of the older forwards should study.

Antony - Go

Unfortunately his price tag will always weigh heavy and there's little chance of him re-finding his Ajax form. He'll follow Ten Hag out of Old Trafford as one of the club's biggest transfer mistakes.

Ethan Wheatley - Stay

The English striker is young and has years to develop so deserves the chance to do so.