Who can help Ferguson mount a United assault on silverware again?

By James McLaughlin.

Manchester United have dominated the domestic league for the previous three years and also had their strongest European showing recently, with two finals in three years. However, following the £80 million pound sale of the then World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the release of Carlos Tevez, they have seen their foothold slip and their attacking prowess nullified as a freescoring Chelsea dominate their Northern rivals.

Ferguson has promised a clear out this summer to rebuild his squad but who should be looking for new clubs and who should be passing them on their way into Old Trafford?

Players Out?

Ben Foster – The former Watford stopper has failed to perform consistently, falling foul of some high profile mistakes in his Old Trafford career. He has fallen behind Thomas Kuszczak in the pecking order and is likely to be offloaded this summer.

Wes Brown – The versatile defender has regularly been reduced to a squad player and prone to costly mistakes. With Rafael and Fabio providing the future of the wing back positions and Smalling and Evans being developed for the centre back roles, it may be time to shift the England defender.

Anderson – With a promising start to his Old Trafford career, the Brazilian attacking midfielder’s only criticism was his lack of goals. Having failed to improve this aspect and a number of reported rows with Ferguson, Anderson looks set for the door.

Michael Owen – Although enshrined in United legend for the controversial winner of his first Manchester Derby, he has failed to shake off his tag of ‘injury prone’ and it may be time to move the former Liverpool man on.

Dimitar Berbatov – With United fans pleased that the Bulgarian chose Red over Blue on the final day of the 2008 transfer window, they will probably now have wished City’s last minute bid had been successful. Having failed to replicate his high reputation at Tottenham Hotspurs, United will have to accept a hefty loss on their £30 million investment and cut their losses.

Players In?

Angel di Maria – The Benfica winger has an endless list of big name suitors and with good reason. The dazzlingly skillful left winger would be the perfect long term replacement for Ryan Giggs.

Javier Hernandez – The 21 year old Mexican striker has already signed subject to a work permit being granted. Having racked up four goals and two assists in four games for his country, if he can bring this from to Old Trafford he will provided much needed relief of the goalscoring burden on Wayne Rooney.

David Silva – Should Angel di Maria be snapped up by Real Madrid as is reported, David Silva would provide a similar long term replacement for the left wing void. He is an admirer of the Red Devils and Valencia may need to sell to ease their debt worries.

Edin Dzeko – Another player on the European elite radar averaging better than a goal every two games for Wolfsburg. Reported to have been a United target last summer, Wolfsburg may be tempted to part with the Bosnian now his value has soared.

Mesut Özil – As a long term successor to Paul Scholes in the attacking midfield role, Özil has only twelve months left on his contract and could be tempted to further his career at Old Trafford.

Martin Fulop – An undoubtedly able shot stopper, the Sunderland man could prove a long term successor to Van Der Sar even if he has recently had a brief stint at bitter enemies Manchester City.

Who do you think United should sell/buy this summer? Please leave your comments below…