Here's how the Old Trafford club's 24-man squad is shaping up


Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in cracking the whip at Manchester United, in both getting the players he wants in at Old Trafford and those he doesn't want out.

The Portuguese said he wanted four signings and, after sealing the £100million deal for Paul Pogba - joining Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - he has them.

Mourinho wants two players to fight for every position – just as he did at Chelsea – but also a trimmed-down squad of just 24. It means no-one will be able to rest on their laurels next season.

Heading out are Germany’s Bastian Schweinsteiger, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Andreas Pereira, Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane and James Wilson.

Tim Fosu-Mensah was thought to be a ninth on his way out but the defender is in talks about securing his long-term future at the club and now looks set to stay.

Mourinho told the rest that they could leave the club, either permanently or on loan, and further arrivals could mean further sales, too, as he looks to lock down his strict 24-man squad. Mourinho has 26 at his disposal right now, meaning more departures are likely.

So, how is Manchester United’s squad shaping up ahead of the new season?



GOALKEEPERS


1 - DAVID DE GEA

First-choice goalkeeper. The reliable shot-stopper between the sticks that Mourinho will expect to help him challenge for the title.

2 - SERGIO ROMERO

United’s No 2 goalkeeper. Should anything happen to De Gea, Romero is there to fill in.

3 - SAM JOHNSTONE

Another back-up goalkeeper. After several loans spells, the 23-year-old will be third choice at Old Trafford.

DEFENDERS


4 - MATTEO DARMIAN

The versatile full-back was linked with Napoli but is set to stay. Started brightly last season but tailed off, and will look to tie down his place in the right back position.

5 - TIM FOSU-MENSAH

Fosu-Mensah can act as an understudy to Darmian this season once he puts pen to paper on a new deal.

6 - ANTONIO VALENCIA

Mourinho likes his full-backs to use their work rate and Valencia does just that. Will, in all likelihood, struggle to get back in at right-back but can be used elsewhere.

7 - CHRIS SMALLING

The 26-year-old centre-back is maturing and showed he can be a leader during a difficult time under Louis van Gaal last season. More of the same is expected.

8 - ERIC BAILLY

Mourinho’s first signing of the summer and should slot straight into the starting XI for his first season in the Premier League.

9 - PHIL JONES

Could be a difficult season for Jones, with the 24-year-old running out of time to prove himself to Mourinho. Had his injuries last season but failed the Borussia Dortmund friendly test.

10 - MARCOS ROJO

Another who is struggling. Replaced Jones in their defeat by Borussia Dortmund and had an unhappy time in the friendly. Bit-part role to play.

11 - DALEY BLIND

Comfortable on the ball and technically gifted, but will struggle to get a look-in with Smalling and Bailly the defensive partners in Mourinho’s back four. Versatility could be key to game time.

12 - LUKE SHAW

Missed the majority of last season due to his horror injury but Mourinho is known to be a fan of the left-back and should use him in the position this season.

MIDFIELDERS


13 - PAUL POGBA

Pogba will go directly into Mourinho’s midfield. All eyes will be on whether he can justify his world-record £100m transfer fee.

14 - MICHAEL CARRICK

Handed another year’s contract and is a leader at 35. Could add experience in a midfield tandem in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Pogba the more attack-minded of the two.

15 - MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN

Linked with a £20m move to Everton but Mourinho is likely to task him with breaking up the opposition and sparking attacks alongside Pogba. Him and Carrick will compete to start.

16 - ANDER HERRERA

Another whose future was uncertain this summer, despite being a crowd favourite after falling out of favour under Van Gaal. Can be a rotation player in midfield and attack.

17 - MAROUANE FELLAINI

The bruiser. Van Gaal liked using him but it remains to be seen whether he would fit into Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, if at all.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD


18 - HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

Brought in from Borussia Dortmund and his creativity should be put to good use by Mourinho. Can play anywhere in attack, including No 10 if Rooney does not get the nod.

19 - JUAN MATA

Out of favour under Mourinho at Chelsea, and must have been the most worried of all the players when he took over at United. Not being sold to Everton – but another bit-part role could follow.

20 - MEMPHIS DEPAY

A tough season under Van Gaal led to criticism. Reported to be at risk of being sold this summer but seems set to stay. Will have to fight for his right to play because it's time to prove himself.

21 - WAYNE ROONEY

Mourinho hinted at using him as a striker but Rooney could slot into the No 10 role, pushing Mkhitaryan wide to the right.

22 - ASHLEY YOUNG

Versatile, having been used in every position previously, and that could be key to him getting game time this season. Can be used as a rotation player.

23 - JESSE LINGARD

Still learning and should continue to do so, though will likely live the life of a substitute or a squad player given the talent that United have at their disposal in attacking midfield.

FORWARDS


24 - ANTHONY MARTIAL

Could be used as a back-up striker but is most likely to be used as a left-sided attacking midfielder.

25 - ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

The main man for United this season. Mourinho has an iconic striker to use in his 4-2-3-1 set-up and, even if it is his first season in England, Ibrahimovic should score a fair few.

26 - MARCUS RASHFORD

Introduced himself superbly last season and Mourinho knows how popular he is at United. Can learn from Ibrahimovic and knows a thing or two about forcing his way into a manager’s thoughts.


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