Manchester United Announce Official 2024 Retention List
Manchester United have released their official retained list for the 2024 season, confirming the players who will remain at the club and those who will be leaving.
Players Retained:
* David de Gea * Tom Heaton * Aaron Wan-Bissaka * Tyrell Malacia * Lisandro Martinez * Harry Maguire * Victor Lindelof * Luke Shaw * Fred * Casemiro * Bruno Fernandes * Wout Weghorst * Anthony Martial
Players Leaving:
* Sergio Romero * Phil Jones * Eric Bailly * Axel Tuanzebe * Ethan Laird * Hannibal Mejbri * Shola Shoretire * Facundo Pellistri
Key Departures:
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Sergio Romero:
The Argentine goalkeeper has been a loyal servant to United for over a decade, but his contract is expiring and he is set to leave. *
Phil Jones:
The defender has struggled with injuries in recent years and has not made an appearance for the club since January 2020. *
Eric Bailly:
The Ivorian centre-back has also been plagued by injuries and has failed to establish himself as a regular in the team. *
Hannibal Mejbri:
The young midfielder has been highly rated at United, but he is seeking more regular playing time elsewhere.
New Additions:
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Wout Weghorst:
The Dutch striker has joined on loan from Burnley for the remainder of the season. *
Anthony Martial:
The French forward has returned to United after a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla.
Contract Extensions:
*
David de Gea:
The Spanish goalkeeper has signed a new contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2027. *
Lisandro Martinez:
The Argentine defender has also signed a new contract extension, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2028.
Analysis:
The release of the retention list indicates that Manchester United are looking to overhaul their squad in the summer. Several high-profile players have left the club, including Sergio Romero, Phil Jones, and Eric Bailly. The additions of Weghorst and Martial are seen as short-term fixes, while the club is expected to make significant signings in the summer transfer window. The retained list also confirms the club’s commitment to youth development, with several academy graduates included on the list. The likes of Tyrell Malacia and Ethan Laird are seen as potential future stars for United. Overall, the retention list provides a glimpse into Manchester United’s plans for the future. The club is looking to build a young, dynamic squad that can compete for major trophies in the years to come.
Manchester United Announce Official 2024 Retention List
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Released Players:
* Tom Heaton (Goalkeeper) * Phil Jones (Defender) * Axel Tuanzebe (Defender) * Ethan Laird (Defender) * Donny van de Beek (Midfielder) *
Retained Players:
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Goalkeepers:
David de Gea, Martin Dubravka *
Defenders:
Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia *
Midfielders:
Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga *
Forwards:
Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Wout Weghorst
Departing Players
Tom Heaton will join Brighton, while Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are expected to seek new clubs on free transfers. Ethan Laird has been released after failing to break into the first team, and Donny van de Beek will return to Ajax after a failed spell at Old Trafford.
Retained Players
David de Gea remains the undisputed number one goalkeeper, with Martin Dubravka providing backup. The defense will be led by Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, and Lisandro Martinez, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia will compete for the right-back position. In midfield, Casemiro, Fred, and Scott McTominay will form the core, with Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen adding creativity. Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga will provide attacking options from the wings. Up front, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are expected to lead the line, with Wout Weghorst offering an additional physical presence.
Analysis
The release of several fringe players indicates that Manchester United are looking to streamline their squad and make room for potential new signings this summer. The departures of Heaton, Jones, Tuanzebe, Laird, and van de Beek were expected, as they have all struggled for playing time in recent seasons. The retention of key players such as De Gea, Varane, Casemiro, and Rashford is a sign that the club remains committed to building a competitive team under Erik ten Hag. With the transfer window now open, it will be interesting to see what moves Manchester United make to strengthen their squad further.