There is a sea of change expected at Manchester United this summer following the takeover of the club by INEOS. While recruitment is needed at the backroom level as much as on the pitch, the future of manager Erik ten Hag is still up in the air. Regardless, Manchester United tickets will still be in high demand ahead of the new season.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils are already shaping up their squad for the 2024/25 season by confirming that seven players will leave the club on the expiration of their contracts while four stars have been offered new contracts.

French duo Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane had already announced their exits from Old Trafford after bidding an emotional farewell in the final home match of the season, and they bowed out on a high with the FA Cup triumph against Manchester City at Wembley.

Varane leaves the club after three years following his time at Real Madrid, he formed an excellent partnership with Lisandro Martinez during the 2022/23 season but struggled for form and fitness in his final campaign.

The 31-year-old sometimes fell behind Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in the pecking order but he was formidable at the back in his final appearance during the FA Cup final.

Meanwhile, Martial arrived from Monaco to much fanfare back in 2015 and he made a blistering start with a stunning goal on his debut against Liverpool. The forward unfortunately failed to live up to his potential and struggled with injuries in his final years.

Martial made 317 appearances for United, scoring 90 goals and winning the Europa League, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups. He was expected to depart after a loan stint at Sevilla in the 2021/22 season but stayed on for another two seasons.

Elsewhere, academy graduate Brandon Williams who joined the club at the age of nine, is also on the United exit list after spending last season on loan with Ipswich Town. Williams accumulated 51 appearances for United during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign and he could be making a return to the newly-promoted Tractor Boys.

Fellow academy graduates Charlie McNeill, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumley are also set to leave with the club confirming in a statement: 

“The Academy is proud of all our departing young players throughout the age groups.

They will be supported in securing contracts at new clubs, provided with a bespoke aftercare programme, and will always have a lifelong association with Manchester United.”

An overaged player who has been appearing for the U-21s team will also leave United as Tom Huddlestone brings an end to his two-year spell as a player-coach.

Who is staying and who else could leave?

Veterans Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are in talks over extending their contracts as United seek to keep some experienced heads amongst the playing squad during this transition period. 

After leaving Leicester City as a free agent, Evans spent most of last summer training with his former club and was the beneficiary of a defensive injury crisis that saw him make 30 appearances in all competitions.

Heaton didn’t feature throughout the season being the third goalkeeper yet he is a valuable member of the squad and a senior figure around the dressing room. The 38-year-old United academy graduate is part of the leadership group and could yet stay at the club.

Indeed, Heaton may be tempted by an offer to play first-team football as Luton Town were keen on completing a deal last summer. 

Omari Forson and Shola Shoretire have both been offered new deals by United, Forson made his debut away at Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup and he is highly rated within the club

Both club and player were close to an agreement back in November but talks have since stalled and the youngster must make a decision this summer. 

However, fellow youngster Alvaro Fernandez is heading for the exits after doing enough to secure a permanent move to Benfica.

More change is expected in the Man United dressing room with the likes of Casemiro and Jadon Sancho facing uncertain futures. The Brazilian has been linked with a move away after what looks to be his final season at Old Trafford. 

Sancho has not played for the club since a public spat with Ten Hag and is also set for a decision over his place after a successful loan spell with Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season helped them reach the Champions League final. All parties are keen for him to stay in Germany next term but his high wages would pose a serious issue. 

The managerial situation also seems set to drag into a chunk of the summer with a decision yet to be made on Ten Hag’s future or the identity of his potential successor. 

The club’s new hierarchy is overseeing a review of the managerial position with a hesitation to rush into any move. Should they choose to make a change, the priority candidate is Gareth Southgate but that is tied to England’s EURO 2024 campaign as the Three Lions boss is unwilling to engage in any discussions over his future.

The Red Devils will have to wait until after the European Championships and talks may be held up until mid-July which significantly hampers United’s preparations for the season if Southgate is willing to take the job. 

Meanwhile, United have an alternative list of candidates including Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel. Frank has caught the eye of the United hierarchy and there is long-term interest in Pochettino who is now a free agent after leading Chelsea to sixth position and leaving the club on mutual terms.

It will be a summer full of incomings and outgoings at Man United and they are likely to be busy up until the start of next season. Watch this space as there could be a completely new look at the club from top to bottom come the 2024/25 season.