Manchester United Transfer News: Darren Fletcher Named in Major Cull Rumours

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United revolution is already well underway, and club veteran Darren Fletcher could be among those sacrificed this year as the Dutchman plans a mass exodus at Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Star's Rhys Turrell, Van Gaal is looking to offload defensive quartet Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Rafael, while West Brom are reported by Sky Sports News to be interested in Fletcher:

Fletcher has been a part of the Old Trafford institution since 1995, having first joined the club's academy aged 11 and he has gone on to win five Premier League titles, a Champions League crown and the FIFA Club World Cup.

However, the last few years have been difficult for the club servant in his struggles against ulcerative colitis, a crippling bowel disease. With his contract expiring this summer, it appears his Old Trafford career may be reaching its end.

The relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson was a large factor in United remaining so patient with their midfielder, but with little long-term prospects in sight, the time to cut ties may beckon.

As Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News attests, his case shows football isn't always solely about business and making the most out of any one asset:

In the cases of Evans, Jones, Smalling and Rafael, though, there appears to be no such need for loyalty. Under their guard, the United defence has fallen into a dismal state and Van Gaal seemingly may not tolerate them much longer.

The manager brought in Marcos Rojo last summer and seems eager to use youngsters like Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair. Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News illustrated Evans' fall after not being named in the squad that lost 1-0 to Southampton:

With contracts of varying length still to run at the Theatre of Dreams, their departures are at present less likely than Fletcher's, for whom Van Gaal will soon seek a replacement.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Star suggests the successor could be Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton, who is quoted as telling the BBC he's enjoying his rise with the Saints but can't rule out an exit this year:

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We want to put Southampton in the spotlight. That will be a shock for the country and the world. We want to reach the Champions League. We want to change this tradition of it being all the big teams. Hopefully we can do something special. We are believing we can but if we don't, the most important thing is to get Europe for Southampton."

[On potential exit] That's up to everyone's personal choices and the club choice. We are going to see where we are going to finish and what everyone's going to do but right now I can't predict anything.

"

Despite all last summer's St. Mary's departures, the French anchorman has featured to become an even more integral part of Ronald Koeman's plans this season.

Schneiderlin was a part of the Saints line-up which handed United their first home defeat since the opening day of the season. Football writer Peter Hall highlighted his performance as one that was particularly significant in the battle for territory:

Schneiderlin was one of the players refused a Southampton exit last summer, but he won't necessarily regret his decision after surging to third in the table.

Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond recently discussed the potential of Schneiderlin's international team-mate Paul Pogba making his return to Old Trafford as a midfield alternative:

However, longevity is a factor that figures highly in any player's mind—as are increased wages—and while the Saints are enjoying their time in the sun now, one can't deny that United's may come again.

Should Van Gaal's side be able to convince their 25-year-old target the grass is greener in Manchester, Schneiderlin could be opened up to the idea of taking Fletcher's place in the squad.

With so many faces tipped to be leaving the Red Devils later this year, there will be room for significant reinforcements and Van Gaal recently got a first-hand look at what Schneiderlin can offer his team.