Man United need to sell two players to help Hannibal replicate Greenwood

The international break provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the season so far and Manchester United have more to ponder than most after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains under mounting pressure to put things right when United return to action against Watford next weekend but his future is not the only one which is being considered at Old Trafford.

United approached the summer window this year with the intention of trimming the fat off an already bloated squad but after only one permanent sale, Daniel James to Leeds, they began the season hoarding a host of periphery figures who still have no clear role at the club.

The likes of Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Diogo Dalot rarely make it onto the pitch anymore and might not be the most appetising players to display in a shop window, but Jesse Lingard certainly is.

The 28-year-old revitalised his career with a loan move to West Ham earlier in the year but any hopes of a return to the London Stadium in the summer were dashed when Solskjaer blocked David Moyes from making a permanent move for his talisman attacking talent.

Missing out on Lingard has hardly hampered the Hammers but his addition in January could well hold the key to fulfilling their lofty ambitions, he would certainly get more action than he is currently for United.

Lingard has two goals and an assist in eight appearances so far this season but, despite his effectiveness as an impact substitute, has struggled to build upon a string of impressive cameos with a regular role in the squad.

With a World Cup place to fight for next year it is clear to see why he rejected a new deal at United and heading into the January transfer window the club should bite their tongue and finally sell him while he still has a transfer value.

A mid-season sale is not only beneficial for Lingard’s own career but his exit could also prove to be the gateway for a promising youngster like Hannibal, Shola Shoretire, Anthony Elanga or Zidane Iqbal to get a more regular chance of first-team action.

Solskjaer’s first full season at United saw Mason Greenwood handed regular opportunity because there weren’t any other senior striking options to replace Romelu Lukaku in attack, now United’s latest crop of teenage talents could be the ones to benefit if Lingard is sold in the New Year.

This progression plan also gives United a simple decision to make in regards to the future of Andreas Pereira who is currently on loan at Flamengo and has so far impressed with his performances.

Pereira, 25, is another player who has increased his transfer worth this calendar year but even after an upturn in fortunes he needs to leave the club in order to give the latest hopefuls a fair chance of making it in the first-team squad.

Even if United’s young attacking talents aren’t initially given direct playing time as a result of those two sales they would all benefit hugely from the increase in senior training opportunities and the priceless experience in being involved in the first-team bubble on a more regular basis.

Time will tell if any of the youth side stars actually have what it takes to make it in the first-team but in order to have any chance of fulfilling such potential it is down to United to remove one of the biggest hurdles which currently stands in their way.