Steven Gerrard says Manchester United need a mass clear-out

Steven Gerrard has named seven players who he believes aren't good enough for Manchester United and should be shown the door. While Michael Carrick looked like he would pay the price for the team's poor start - before it was confirmed he will stay on as boss - the players have been hammered for their sub-standard performances and questionable commitment.

Steven Gerrard is one of the many pundits to lay into the squad, naming and shaming players he believes need to be moved on, including recent expensive signings. The Liverpool legend has called out Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez and Benjamin Sesko.

Needless to say, those departures would need to be aligned with quality arrivals, which United are crying out for. However, even without those seven players, the club put out a decent-looking starting XI, at least on paper.

Provided everyone is fit and available, goalkeeper Senne Lammens could line up behind a back four of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot. Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo could be the central midfielders behind playmaker Bruno Fernandes, with Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford down the flanks providing the service for Bryan Mbeumo.

Potential Man Utd XI: Lemmens, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot; Tielemans, Mainoo; Cunha, Fernandes, Rashford; Mbeumo.

Potential replacements

With a new left-back required to replace Shaw, United should look at the likes of Atletico Madrid's Alex Grimaldo and Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich. At centre-back, Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni is entering his prime and would be a statement signing.

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In midfield, no one needs to tell United how good Como's Nico Paz is after last weekend's Champions League humiliation. The Spaniard, once of Real Madrid, is ready for a big move. As ever, the Brighton talent factory would be worth raiding, with Jack Hinshelwood a potential target.

In attacking positions, Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and Rayan of Bournemouth would be astute signings, even if they wouldn't be cheap. As for a more experienced option, United should keep close tabs on Harry Kane's plans in case he fancies a return to the Premier League to overhaul Alan Shearer's goals record.

What Gerrard said

Speaking on The Overlap Daily about the not-so-magic seven, Gerrard pulled no punches. The former Aston Villa boss said: "Harry Maguire's had a really good career. Luke Shaw, I played with Luke, he was top in his day. They're not Manchester United players anymore. They should have been moved on quicker.

"Lisandro Martinez last year, only interested in the World Cup. He's seen that the players haven't [been] signed, the four or five that he wants, in his world. Selfishly comes out and speaks, then gets injured, goes off at half-time with a kick [against Leeds] and he's fit the next game. That stinks to me.

"You look at the midfield, they signed a player from Chelsea, £50million, [Andrey] Santos, not a Manchester United player. Then it [the responsibility] goes to recruitment higher up.

"Why are you signing players that are not good enough to play for Manchester United? These [are] the only players you can attract now, but he's not a Manchester United player. [Carlos] Baleba, £70million. He's got potential. He's not ready to help Manchester United compete at the top of the league now.

"You look on the sides of the pitch. When I played against United, you had [Ryan] Giggs, [David] Beckham, world-class players. Young Amad [Diallo]. Hot and cold. When he's good, he's good, but hasn't shown anything this season."

Gerrard questioned Cunha's contribution but stopped short of urging United to get rid. He said: "Cunha's dropped. So what's he doing? Is he not training right? Is he one of the toxic players?

"They've just signed him recently. Why is a Brazil international not starting? So, he's not doing something right. He's part of the problem as well. [Benjamin] Sesko, injured at the moment. Not good enough. They’ve just got problems all over the place."