Manchester United: 5 Players Sir Alex Ferguson Needs to Get Rid Of

Six points clear atop the English Premier League, there's little doubt that Manchester United are traveling well as we head into the upcoming January transfer window.

Veteran manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that the club won't be looking to sign any players over the transfer window (per Goal), but the Red Devils could still be set for some transfer activity, with some departures from the club a very possible outcome.

So who should Manchester United part with this winter and in the near future?

Read on to see the five players that United simply must get rid of.

Nani

We kick off our list with Manchester United winger Nani, whom the Red Devils should try to offload in the upcoming winter or summer transfer windows. 

With Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia present in their lineup, United have no need for Nani, barring injury. 

Simply put, the Portuguese international's performance has not been up to scratch when he has taken the field for the Manchester club this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has plenty of other midfield options on either the left or the right should Nani leave. With a contract dispute going on for some time now, the 26-year-old should be sold soon by the Red Devils.

Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck. Here is another player that Sir Alex Ferguson should look to get rid of, given the abundance of attacking, and in particular striker, talent that United currently has.

The England international is seemingly sitting fourth in line behind Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez. Whilst he would be afforded various opportunities throughout the Champions League and Premier League, he won't ever receive the starting minutes that he desires (or even deserves) at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old Welbeck is vastly talented. For his age and skill set, he would attract a great price should United decide to let him go.

They already have all of the names mentioned plus the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell to play up front if needed—making Welbeck nothing but an excess commodity.

Ryan Giggs

There has been no greater servant to Manchester United over the past two decades than Ryan Giggs, but it is time to let the veteran midfielder go at the end of the season.

In the past few months, the 39-year-old has been relegated to nothing other than occasional midfield roles off the bench. Whilst his experience is invaluable to the team, Sir Alex Ferguson must recognize that keeping Giggs around is not really that beneficial for the squad.

Given his age, you'd have to think that Giggs knows his time in the game is now severely limited, and will most likely come to an end at the conclusion of the year.

But if it doesn't, maybe it's time for Ferguson to try and coax the 39-year-old into an early shower, shall we say.

Federico Macheda

After a promising start to his Manchester United career, Federico Macheda must surely be sold in the upcoming winter transfer window—a move in the best interests of both the club and the player.

Macheda isn't going to get any playing time at Old Trafford given the players that are ahead of him in the pecking order. He has already made noises that he would like to leave the club if not afforded more opportunities throughout the season.

Seeing as he's made just one appearance in all competitions this season, Macheda's departure from United seems all but inevitable this coming January.

Paul Scholes

The Ginger Wizard himself, Paul Scholes, comes in as the final person that Sir Alex Ferguson should look to get rid of in the near future—simply for the fact that he isn't needed and isn't putting in the same world-class performances that he was, say, five years ago.

Scholes has been nothing but a bench player this season. Even with all the injuries United have had this year, the 38-year-old still hasn't had any significant playing time throughout various competitions.

Tom Cleverley showed against Sunderland that he truly is the future of the club in the middle and that he can play well alongside Michael Carrick—thus making Scholes nothing but a great guy to have in your squad given his experience and leadership talent.

Ferguson had to talk the Englishman back into playing last season; surely this is the year that the manager now talks him back into retirement?

Who do you think Manchester United should get rid of?

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