It says a lot about the dreadful squad-building of the pre-INEOS era at Old Trafford that a former Manchester United defender can make a case for eighteen players being moved on in the summer.
And while we firmly disagree with the two-time Premier League winner as he urges the Red Devils to consider cashing in on Andre Onana and Mason Mount, we understand where Paul Parker is coming from with regards to many of the remaining 16.
Casemiro is a 32-year-old playing like a 42-year-old in the heart of the Manchester United midfield. Sofyan Amrabat has made no real impact on loan at Fiorentina, while Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri haven’t exactly shown Erik ten Hag what he is missing out on loan.
Antony Martial’s contract is expiring – at long last. As is Tom Heaton’s. Altay Bayindir has played only once, against Newport County in the FA Cup. Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay have improved, but can they really help take United to the next level?
There are sections of the fanbase who have similar concerns about Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, talismanic but inconsistent. And if Victor Lindelof has not fulfilled his potential yet, then it’s unlikely he ever will.
Ineos Manchester United cull could be overdue
You certainly could not accuse Christian Eriksen of failing to fulfil his own promise. But hurtling towards his mid-30s, and with the pace of the Premier League more than catching up with the veteran playmaker, Parker has few qualms about including Eriksen in his 18-strong list of players he feels should not be getting too comfortable at Carrington at the start of the Ineos era.
“Eriksen is finished at Manchester United,” Parker, a two-time league champion before the emergence of Gary Neville, tells Tipsbladet.
Parker also agrees with the view of Denmark legend Brian Laudrup, who wants to see Eriksen come full circle and pick up where he left off at Ajax a decade ago.
“It would be beautiful from a sentimental point of view, and it would be very emotional for him to return home,” Parker adds. “Maybe (Eriksen) can bring some positive energy to the club. Amsterdam must not be a very nice place to be right now, if you plays for Ajax.”
The perennial Eredivisie champions hit a new low on Sunday when they were thrashed 6-0 by rivals Feyenoord.
Is Ajax return on the cards for Christian Eriksen?
“I can easily see it (Eriksen returning) happening,” Parker says. “But the most important thing is that he becomes happy again. Right now, he is at a club where the manager does not want him and he has struggled a lot with his game. But I now see that more as an expression that the team is not working.
“It would just be good for him to get away, because he is not appreciated. Everyone knows that it is over now. It is better to go to Ajax, where he will be the best player in the league, even if he has to suffer with Jordan Henderson by his side!”
Hypothetically speaking, if Parker’s cull was to occur, only Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw and – rather surprisingly – Antony as the few survivors.