Erik ten Hag urged to have summer clearout of players at Manchester United

John Barnes has warned Erik ten Hag he needs to completely overhaul his squad if he’s to be a success at Manchester United.

Ten Hag is of course set to arrive at Old Trafford at the end of the season, having had his appointment as United’s new manager confirmed last week. The current Ajax boss faces a huge task at his new club though, with plenty of work ahead of him this summer.

The 52-year-old will be tasked with picking up the pieces of what has been a dismal season for United. As the Reds approach the end of the campaign, they look set to miss out on Champions League football next season, while they also face a fight just to secure a spot in Europe.

ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag already has a candidate to replace Harry Maguire as Manchester United captain

A number of players are set to leave in the summer, including Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani, while there are question marks over plenty of others. Ralf Rangnick has predicted a major rebuild could be needed, with the interim manager suggesting the club should make as many as 10 new signings.

While the actual number of additions Ten Hag makes in the summer is much more likely to be lower, Liverpool legend Barnes feels United’s new boss needs to have a clear-out. That could be much easier said than done though.

“Erik Ten Hag cannot get rid of players at Manchester United if they don’t want to leave the club, and their fans must understand that,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets. “Media will talk about them having to get rid of this player or that player but if they are on three or four-year deals then you can’t just get rid of them.

“Of course, they’d like to get rid of them, but unless another club offers the same salary or more, then they won’t