Manchester United have at least five sellable assets in their core squad

Those on the Old Trafford tour next weekend will have to keep their eyes peeled for any names removed from the home dressing room. Jack Butland's berth was appropriately located next to one of the exit routes.

Marcel Sabitzer's name had been removed when members of the press occupied it for a match against club media last month. Wout Weghorst's was still on display and Danny Webber, our 'ringer' up front, scored more Old Trafford goals in a half than the Dutchman managed in 15 appearances at the stadium.

Weghorst's name will be taken down next week. So might David de Gea's. De Gea is the only United player approaching the end of his contract who could be considered a member of the core squad.

It is that unofficial status that is discouraging United from proactively pushing others towards the departures' lounge. For most of the last year, United have endeavoured to extend De Gea's 12 years at the club and only recently has there been a shift that could ensure he is known as a former United player from next Saturday.

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Jesse Lingard's paranoid inner circle were perturbed by this correspondent's assertion he was not in United's core squad midway through the 2021-22 campaign. The evidence was glaring: Lingard had started twice all season and made one substitute appearance - all three coming in the FA and League Cups. Lingard was then soon loaned to West Ham.

The core squad effectively consists of those in the first and second XIs, as well as another 'keeper. Ie. if there was a major tournament United were participating in, these would be the 23 players in the squad.

So, forgettable though he is, there is a place for Donny van de Beek even though he has started four