The huge number of players Manchester United want to axe this summer

Manchester United are hoping to make an epic clear-out this summer, wanting to axe at least 10 players in the next transfer window.

The underperforming Red Devils squad is set for a huge overhaul, with manager Ruben Amorim wanting significant changes to his options.

Given Manchester United are currently 13th in the Premier League table and only have the Europa League as a way of saving their season to any extent, it is no great surprise that changes are afoot.

Certain departures are already nailed on as four players are out of contract at the end of the campaign and new deals are not going to be forthcoming.

Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelöf are all in that category and will be moving on, whether that is into retirement or to find a new club.

Eriksen has spoken out about where he does not intend to continue his career – including America and his homeland of Denmark – but has not yet made a decision on where his next stop will be.

The Red Devils also have a string of players they would like to sell this summer, but whether they will be able to or not is yet to be seen.

The loaned-out quartet of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia are among them, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Chelsea have an obligation to buy Sancho at the end of his loan deal but his performances have been so underwhelming that the Blues are considering paying a penalty fee to avoid making the move permanent.

Rashford and Antony are having encouraging times at Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively, but deals may be tricky to do given their high wages at Manchester United.

Malacia is on loan at PSV, with the Dutch club having an option to buy him at the end of that short-term spell.

Casemiro is another player United want to sell but is earning enormous wages at Old Trafford so getting rid of him will not necessarily be straightforward.

The 33-year-old remains under contract until 2026 and has already spoken about his desire to stay at the club for the rest of that deal, despite them preferring to sell him.

Speaking to AS in February, he said he wants to be playing more regularly but he plans to see out his contract at Old Trafford.

‘I respect United, a club to which I’m very grateful,’ he said. ‘I have a year-and-a-half left on my contract and I’d like to fulfil it here in Manchester. I’m comfortable here and so is my family. They’ve adapted, we speak English.

‘I’m very grateful to the Old Trafford fans and to the club. I’m happy at club level. Happy in the dugout? Of course not. That’s another thing.’

Then come players who are not quite on the chopping block but have uncertain futures at the club nonetheless.

Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, injury-ravaged full-back Luke Shaw and unconvincing forward Joshua Zirkzee could all be let go if United receive appropriate offers.

The situations of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are also not entirely clear as United could be tempted into cashing in to help their Profit and Sustainability figures.

Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has said that the club is not in a position to be forced to sell players, hwoever.

‘No no. We won’t be selling players because of the state we are in financially,’ Ratcliffe told the BBC. ‘The club had got bloated so we reduced that and will finish it with a lean and efficient organisation.

‘That’s how we will address the costs. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That’s all.’