Manchester United announced the list of players retained this week, and two senior first-team players were excluded for now.
Ahead of the first transfer window under Ineos rule, things are already changing at Manchester United with two huge exits already confirmed.
Before United announced the retained list this week, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were both announced as departures.
They’ve been joined by Brandon Williams and also Charlie McNeill as two other notable exits, but this might not be all the outgoings, with talks continuing over others’ futures.
This is the case for both Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton who are in talks with United over new deals at Old Trafford, while Omari Forson and Shola Shoretire also remain in talks.
Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans should be handed new contracts at Manchester United
While neither Evans nor Heaton are starters and nor should they be at this stage in their careers, they should still be kept this summer by United.
Evans is 36 and Heaton is 38, and both have enjoyed storied careers both at United and elsewhere which makes them extremely valuable to have in the dressing room.
This summer could potentially see an exodus of experienced heads such as Casemiro, Varane has already gone, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen, and so keeping some experience would be useful.
Having these two United academy graduates in the dressing room is a smart move, especially with such a young squad expected to be built by Ineos.
You only have to look at Manchester City and Scott Carson who is kept around by Pep Guardiola for his experience and character off the field, Evans and Heaton can be this for United.
Heaton is repeating history 14-years on from Sir Alex Ferguson outrage
Heaton made his United return in 2021 after he initially departed the club in 2010, much to Sir Alex Ferguson‘s outrage.
When Heaton, who was at the time an exciting goalkeeper, rejected a contract and decided to head elsewhere, Sir Alex was said to be fuming as Heaton explained in 2019.
“It was, how do you say, an interesting moment. I understood his point of view. I’d been there since I was a kid. He was offering me a new contract and I was turning it down.
“He wasn’t best pleased! So, I was on the end of it a bit. I totally understood it because they had invested a lot of time in me.
“But I knew what was right for me. It was a risk, but it was one I wanted to take. I walked out of his office with my tail between my legs. It needed to be done. It was the right decision. I knew that and I never wavered from it.
“In fairness – and I always say this because it’s important to me – two or three weeks down the line, he called me back into his office, and said, ‘I will always be there for you, whenever you need me. I respect your decision’. That meant the world to me.”
Now, three years on from returning he could be staring another exit from United in the face depending on how these contract talks go. We’d love to see him stay as he’s an excellent character to have around the club.