Sir Jim Ratcliffe told he must axe five players in first Manchester United transfer window

Manchester United have been told to part ways with five players in the upcoming transfer window as Sir Jim Ratcliffe eyes a rebuild of the squad following his takeover of the club.

The British Billionaire officially became new co-owner last week after his takeover was completed. His impact is already being felt with a move for Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth, who is currently on gardening leave after expressing his desire to join the club.

Eyes for Ratcliffe will shortly be turning to the summer transfer window where there is expected to be both comings and goings. Looking ahead to the end of the season former United defender Paul Parker has outlined the players who he thinks should be moved on if the Reds harbour serious ambitions of challenging for the Premier League title.

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“(Anthony) Martial, his contract’s up but he was there for too long. Far too long. Far too many opportunities to give himself a chance, which as everyone knows he never took one,” he told Gambling.com.

“Defensively, are you going to shift (Aaron) Wan-Bissaka on? Ten Hag seems to have already made up his mind - that (Diogo) Dalot’s his right back. But Dalot is playing regularly with no competition, as Wan Bissaka’s injured.

“I think if you’re going to step forward and have a team that challenges for the Premier League properly, not a fleeting little challenge, you’d have to talk about Harry Maguire. You’d have to talk about Victor Lindelof.

“People would say about (Raphael) Varane, but when Varane and (Lisandro) Marinez had that spell