Jose Mourinho is planning to axe at least eight players from his Manchester United squad in the next two transfer windows, asthe Old Trafford transfer merry-go-round looksset to continue.
The Portuguese expressed his dissatisfaction with his players after United's 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Europa League, accusing them of not being "mentally prepared" and treating the game like a pre-season friendly.
That was United's fifth defeat in 17 matches under Mourinho. They are seven points off fourth place in the Premier League, and now face a struggle to qualify for the latter stages of the Europa League.
The Red Devils have also failed to score in their last three league games, with veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic struggling to find the net in recent outings. He has managed only one goal in his last 11 games for the club.
According to theTelegraph, Mourinho is going to respond to this poor form by overhauling the United squad yet again, and is reportedly keen to show at least eight players the door in the upcoming winter and summer transfer windows.
Former United midfielder Paul Scholes admitted thatit's been quite a painful three years" at United, and that "the next 18 months to two years could be very similar until this manager has three or four transfer windows to really get a team that he wants.�
A total of 55 players have come or gone since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and this trend is setto continue.
Defenders Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Phil Jones will all be allowed to leave the club, as well as midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schniederlin and Michael Carrick.
Ibrahimovic will have the option to extend his 12-month deal at the club by another year, but wide midfielders Ashley Young and Memphis Depay are another two who are surplus to requirements and will be shown the exit door at some point next year.