25 April 2024 , 13:30
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This summer promises to be one of significant change in terms of Manchester United's squad, with as many as 12 players on their way out.
But amid the expected huge exodus and new signings, five current players are certain to remain and form the spine of United's side going forward, whether that is under Erik ten Hag or a newly appointed manager.
Here, Mirror Football looks at five players who will be central to United's revival under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his new football operations team as they look to kick-start a new era and bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Andre Onana
He may have made another high-profile error in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Sheffield United, a poor first touch and hastily-hit pass leading to the opening goal, but Onana has been much improved since the error-strewn start to his United career. His distribution with his feet was a huge upgrade on David De Gea, and while he does throw in the odd clanger, with a settled defence in front of him, something he has not been afforded this season because of United's chronic injury crisis, he will develop a better understanding with his back-four and play more consistently as a result.
Andre Onana has recovered from some early errors to enjoy a decent first season at Old Trafford (CameraSport via Getty Images)Lisandro Martinez
The enforced absence of United's best defender this season has been a major factor in their wretched and inconsistent form. Restricted to just seven starts in the Premier League, Martinez has missed 36 of United's games this season, after last season's broken metatarsal saw him miss the final 12 games of the campaign.
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Currently out with a knee strain, those within the United set-up say that when the Argentina World Cup winner is missing from the squad, as he has been for much of the season, there is a leadership vacuum, with the unique spirit and energy he brings. United need him back to restore their defensive solidity.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has impressed for Manchester United this season (Getty Images)Along with Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo has been one of the rare shafts of light in an otherwise gloomy season for United. Ten Hag was so impressed with the 19-year-old on United's pre-season tour of the US, he planned to start the season with him in midfield, but an injury against Real Madrid in Houston saw him sidelined until November.
When he returned, he underlined why Ten Hag had such faith in him, establishing himself as a first-choice pick and earning an England call-up. He has scored three goals, including a fine solo effort to seal a late 4-3 win over Wolves, with United keen to reward his progress this season with a lucrative new deal.
Will be a central figure in midfield for years for United, if the club can match his ambitions and ensure he does not feel his prodigious talent is best served elsewhere.
Alejandro Garnacho
It's a toss-up between the 19-year-old winger and skipper Bruno Fernandes as to which one has been United's player of the season. It says everything about Garnacho's importance to United - and their chronic injury crisis – that the Argentina winger has started their last 32 games in all competitions, despite this being only his second full season in the first-team.
That remorseless run looks to have caught up with Garnacho in recent weeks, which is understandable given his age and relative lack of experience, but he has still contributed nine goals and five assists this season, marking him out as one of their best performers and a key player for United in the years ahead.
Bruno Fernandes
What more can be said about United's current Captain Marvel? He may attract criticism for his theatrics and emotional outbursts on the pitch, but one thing his critics cannot take aim at him for is his reliability. This season, Fernanded has missed just two of United's 46 games – one because he was suspended and the other as an unused sub.
He has remarkable mental and physical fortitude, playing through the pain barrier and making himself available and leading by example, the epitome of a leader. He has 15 goals this season, including eight in his last eight games, as well as 11 assists. Whoever in is charge of United next season must build the team around him, given his reliability, consistency of performance, creativity, goals and assists.
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