Paul Merson's 'impossible' Man United manager prediction and nine players who should be sold

Your Manchester United morning headlines for Friday, 11 March.

Paul Pogba is going, Jesse Lingard is going, Juan Mata is going and Edinson Cavani might as well have already gone (ditto Lee Grant). Manchester United's exodus cannot stop with their out-of-contract players if they are to become a credible force next season.

Ed Woodward promised in his valediction United were in a position to sell players again and this is the summer to prove it. The squad is teeming with wantaways and a(nother) squad rebuild is required. The only player United sold last summer was Daniel James on deadline day.

READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino sent Manchester United message after PSG collapse

Pep Guardiola took Manchester City to another level by culling the entire full-back department in 2017 and selling seven squad players. A similarly bustling departures lounge is required at United this summer.

Read the full piece from MEN Chief Manchester United writer Samuel Luckhurst here.

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson has made an "absolutely impossible" claim surrounding Manchester United's chances of competing with Liverpool and Manchester City next season — even with a new manager in place. Their Champions League hopes were dented last weekend with Arsenal overtaking them with their win over Watford.

United lost 4-1 to derby rivals City at the weekend, though they remain hopeful of getting a boost in appointing their new permanent boss within the coming months. Paris Saint-Germain chief Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax boss Erik ten Hag have been sounded out as the frontrunners, but no final decision has yet been made.

Read the full quotes from Merson here.

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