It has been a week to forget for Manchester United fans following the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Europa League coupled with the weekend’s loss to West Brom.
And things have not been made any better for manager Louis Van Gaal following the scathing attack made by BT Sport pundits and former club legends Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, who questioned the desire and fight of the current Old Trafford squad.
As reported by the Telegraph, former defender Ferdinand discussed the quality of the current squad and highlighted nine former players that were sold under the current regime that should still be part of the setup and add the much-needed quality to a side currently sitting sixth in the Premier League.
Therefore, we here at Read Man Utd have decided to add our own twist to Ferdinand’s list and devised our own shortlist of seven players that should still be representing the Red Devils:
1) Angel Di Maria
The club’s most expensive signing, Di Maria joined the club in 2014 with a fantastic pedigree having just won the Champions League under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and has the quality to turn any side into title contenders.
2) Robin Van Persie
Almost single-handedly won Manchester United the Premier League in his first and Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season and will undoubtedly feel hard done by fellow national Van Gaal for not allowing him to stay. His pedigree and experience would prove vital up front for the side right now.
3) Patrice Evra
A surprising departure in 2014 after initially signing a new contract, the experienced Frenchman could have proved to be the perfect mentor for then new signing Luke Shaw and could have adeptly supervised during his absence with injury this season.
4) Danny Welbeck
The departure of Welbeck to Arsenal upset a number of fans as the club sanctioned the sale of a locally produced talent and despite a career so far plagued with injuries, his versatility to play anywhere across the attacking line and eye for scoring important goals could have proved the difference this year between coming away with three points or one.
5) Rafael
Van Gaal’s failed search for a right back in the January transfer window drew much criticism from fans after he allowed Rafael to leave the club during the summer for a lowly fee of £2.25million in an attempt to get him off the books.
And despite struggling with injuries last year having the freedom to call upon the quality of a defender such as Rafael to step in for Matteo Darmian this year would have been a welcome relief, although Guillermo Varela has done well since making his debut.
6) Nani
Despite his days being numbered at the club after spending last year on loan at Sporting, United have struggled out wide this year without a recognised quality winger in the side as Memphis has struggled for form whilst Lingard is still finding his feet, an individual such as Nani could have been a welcome inclusion this year as an injection of his pace and trickery is something clearly missing from the current squad.
7) Nemanja Vidic
Perhaps not one of the first names that would come to mind as a player that should have remained, however, if there is one distinct quality missing from the current team it is that of a true leader and if there is anything that the Serbian will be remembered for during his eight-year spell at the club it is that he was a fantastic leader and captain.
Although he may not have ever been able to return to his infamous commanding ways at the heart of our defence, having Vidic on the bench and behind the scenes this year to advise and support our Smalling/Blind partnership this year could have proved invaluable.