3 Manchester United Players Who Are Fighting for Their Futures in 2015/16

Manchester United's summer clear-out should have a few of the current squad on their toes.

They may have survived the squad cull of 2015, but there is another transfer window at the end of this season. There are reasons to believe all three of these players could have cause to look over their shoulders when that rolls around.

There are plenty of candidates who did not quite make the top three.

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Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini all fit into the category of players who served Louis van Gaal well last season. However, with the arrivals of Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial, competition for Young has grown. Valencia is now a clear second choice at right-back behind Matteo Darmian.

United's midfield has been strengthened to the extent that it would take a full-blown injury crisis for Fellaini to get a game there. He will play further forward this season, and potentially could be vulnerable to future upgrades in the United's attacking options.

Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney are both in a position where the absolutely certainty of their importance to the squad is diminished. In Carrick's case, this is a natural by-product of the ageing process. Indeed, among United's most astute transfer moves this summer was the acquisition of Morgan Schneiderlin who can replace Carrick in the squad.

In Rooney's case, it is about the uncertainty around his form. With Robin van Persie sold in the summer, it is clear Van Gaal is prepared to replace stars with whom he has previously enjoyed a good working relationship. Rooney's position is probably enhanced by his contract status, but he cannot afford complacency.

"

.....? #respect pic.twitter.com/LSnwz1HfDB

— Victor Valdes (@1victorvaldes) July 16, 2015"

Victor Valdes has been left out of our top three for being, well, a bit too obvious.

Those are the also-rans. Let's take a look at the three in the most direct face of the firing line.

Ander Herrera

From the outside looking in, it is inexplicable that this should be the case, but for some reason it seems to be. Ander Herrera should be a star player in United's squad. His first season in England saw him exceed expectations in terms of his tally of goals. He also scored a brace for the first time in his career.

He adapted beautifully to the Premier League and Manchester United. Whenever the Red Devils were good during Van Gaal's first season in charge, Herrera was involved.

And yet...

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Herrera had been a fixture early in the season, but following his recovery from injury, Van Gaal took a long time to incorporate him back into the side. He has started just one game this season so far, in spite of the team lacking the kind of incisive, attack-minded play from midfield that Herrera can provide.

This could look like a foolish inclusion if Van Gaal makes Herrera a fixture from now on, but the early-season exclusion makes it look like Herrera is vulnerable.

Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard is one of only two players from United's FA Youth Cup-winning side of 2011 to be part of the current first-team squad. The other is goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Lingard was very unfortunate last season. He was selected for the starting XI in Van Gaal's first competitive game in charge of United, only to suffer a serious injury. Recovery from that was followed by a loan spell at Derby.

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This has to be the season when Lingard impresses. United have left themselves short in attacking positions, and are involved in the Champions League again, so opportunities should fall at the talented youngster's feet. It is hard to imagine that United will not look to strengthen again in the summer, and his position could be one they look to improve.

This is his moment to shine. He needs to seize it.

Phil Jones

This would have seemed an odd suggestion when Jones signed a new contract in the summer. He is now contracted to stay at the club until 2019. When that decision was made at the end of June, the idea that he could be playing for his future this season would have seemed laughable.

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However, he was dropped in favour of Chris Smalling at the start of the season, after some poor showings in pre-season. Daley Blind is being played at left-centre-back and Jones has faced another layoff from football, this time through illness rather than injury.

His injury record has surely hampered his development, and if he spends another season on the sidelines, or cannot break into the first team when he is again fit, his future must surely be in doubt.

He needs a good season, or the club could look to use that contract as a means to pick up a fee for him, rather than as a means to keep him at Old Trafford.