Manchester United Free Agents In The Summer Of 2023

With Manchester United’s squad growing ever deeper, naturally, some players will need to move on in the summer – we take a look at these four footballers will be Manchester United free agents in the summer of 2023. Will any of them continue to be Manchester United players?

Excluding players that they have signed this year (Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland just joined on loan and Wout Weghorst also joining on loan from Burnley via Besiktas), United have four squad members whose contracts are set to expire this summer.

Would you be sad to see any of them go?

Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe has been at Manchester United since 2006 – he joined the senior team back in 2015, but has never really lived up to his potential. However, it’s not all his fault, as he has often struggled for game time.

He has captained the team on a sole occasion, during a League Cup game against Rochdale. Outside of this, his United career has been fairly unremarkable.

It could be time for Tuanzebe to move on. He’s yet to make an appearance for the club this season due to injury having spent a couple of spells on loan with Aston Villa and also some time with Napoli last season.

With the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez ahead of him, it’s difficult to see where Tuanzebe could fit in.

Phil Jones

While Phil Jones was once a promising prospect at Old Trafford after Sir Alex signed him from Blackburn Rovers, he has since devolved into a comic relief sideshow. Injuries ultimately have run roughshod on his career – he hasn’t made a single appearance for Manchester United this season.

The last time Jones played for United’s first team was back in May 2022. Like Tuanzebe, with several talented centre halves at the club, it’s hard to see where Jones gets a game these days.

The Preston-born man has been at the club since 2011. Some may want to keep him around for sentimental value – but it’s unlikely that he will remain at Old Trafford following this summer.

Tom Heaton

Tom Heaton was signed purely for the purpose of being a third goalkeeper – a steady, if unspectacular shot stopper, he has always been available to provide cover if needed. However, he has only made a grand total of two appearances for Manchester United’s senior team during his entire Red Devils tenure.

At 36, former Aston Villa and Burnley man Heaton is entering the twilight of his career. As a United academy product, he could be kept on at the club as a coach or as a member of the backroom staff.

Outside of this, it’s hard to see where Heaton fits in. United would probably be better served using one of their youth team ‘keepers as their third goalkeeper, to help promote their younger players.

David De Gea

Now, here’s one player who United fans may be worried about losing. David De Gea was once considered one of the world’s leading goalkeepers – he may not be up there today, but he’s still an excellent man to have between the sticks.

He’s been the Red Devils’ first choice ‘keeper for almost ten years now. With supernatural reflexes and fantastic shot stopping ability, he has astonished audiences time and time again with his jaw-dropping saves.

United have the option to extend his contract by a further year. But, as of the time of writing, they have yet to do so. Whether Dean Henderson is ready or if Jack Butland impresses then this could impact the club’s stance on the Spanish goalkeeper.