He has not been helped by the fact he had a number of injuries over the years. It always seems that when Jones got into the first team, he would start to build some form up but then would get injured again. Over the last nine seasons, he has only made 165 appearances in the Premier League. He only made two appearances in the league this season, starting in a 3-3 draw with Sheffield United before being substituted at half-time. He then played the full 90 minutes of a 2-0 defeat to Burnley two months later in January. 

When the Premier League resumed back in June, Jones did not make any of the match-day squads for the remaining nine games due to injury. With Axel Tuanzebe and Teden Mengi both waiting in the wings, they can easily take his place in the squad.

2. Andreas Pereira

The United fans had backed Andreas Pereira when he did not receive much playing time under previous managers Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. A player who shows great potential and a lot of technical ability but has not been given the chance to show what he really can do in the team. 

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he was given that opportunity to shine. However, Pereira has faced criticism over some of his performances this season as he did not make the impact we had expected to see. A return of two goals in 39 appearances is not a good return for an attacking midfielder considering the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and his impact on the club.

Pereira does work hard for the team when on the pitch, however he does get caught in possession and lacks the quality on the ball to open opposition’s teams up. It is unclear what Pereira’s actual best position is as he has played as both an attacking midfielder, centre midfielder and on the wing as well.

It may be the right time to move Pereira on where he can get regular first team football and we can use the funds from the transfer to reinvest back into the squad.

3. Marcos Rojo

When Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left United back in 2014, Marcos Rojo was signed from Sporting Lisbon for £16 million to replace them. It was always going to be a difficult task to fill the void left by these two great players. Injuries over the years have meant that Rojo has failed to establish himself as a first team player and when he was in the side, his combative nature could sometimes lead to his defending becoming reckless at times which ended up costing United.

Although he was loaned out this season to his boyhood club Estudiantes, he was only able to make one appearance before Argentine Primera División was curtailed due to covid-19. When the Premier League season resumed, he did not make any appearances for us. It is now time to sell Rojo and move on.

4. Alexis Sanchez

When Manchester United did a swap deal back in January 2018 with Arsenal to bring Alexis Sanchez to the club, it looked a great deal on paper as he was one of the best players in the Premier League. However, he has failed to live up to the expectations with inconsistent form and a number of injuries has seen his career at United not really get going.

Sanchez has been on loan at Inter Milan this season and though his form has not been that good for them, it has been reported that Italian club wish to make his loan move a permanent deal. He is currently the highest paid player at United with a reported £500,000 a week wages and with a contract until 2022, it is important for the club to offload him as I cannot see him resurrecting his career at Old Trafford.

5. Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling has had a good loan spell at AS Roma this season putting in some impressive displays in defence and also getting on the score sheet three times in 36 appearances. Playing in Serie A has really suited his game as he has become more composed on the ball, retaining possession and even is more convincing with his challenges. His form had attracted the interest of Premier League rivals Arsenal though AS Roma are believed to be keen to keep Smalling.

With his contract coming to end in two years, it could be the optimum time to cash in on the player. With the player now 30, he could still command a transfer fee of £20 million which would be a nice profit after nine years at the club.

Conclusion:

These five players I believe that United should now move on from the club. There would be those who would argue that the likes of Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata should be sold as well. However I believe these two players still have something to give for United as squad players as United look to make progress on their third place finish.