Manchester United have confirmed their 25-man squad for the 2023/24 Premier League season and it has led to mixed reactions.
There were notable inclusions and exclusions in the list made by Erik Ten Hag, as they aim to challenge for the league crown.
Summer signings Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayındır, and Jonny Evans are present in the list, alongside loan signings; Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon.
Manchester United supporters are delighted by seeing the name of Morocco international Amrabat on the list, given their shaky start to the 2023/24 season.
They perceive him to be the answer to their issues in midfield, as he can combine with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes to provide a seismic trio.
Players in Manchester United squad?
The regular cast of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, and Luke Shaw, still feature in this list.
However, four notable absentees have made people ponder over their exclusion from the list.
Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund was not included in Manchester United’s 25-man list for the 2023/24 Premier League, and futballnews will be telling you the reason for his exclusion.
Alejandro Garnacho, who has become a regular feature in the first team, was also not among the players shortlisted by Erik Ten Hag’s side.
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, and Amad Diallo, who was born in 2002 have also been excluded from the list.
In attack, despite the recent feud ongoing between the pair, Erik Ten Hag has still kept faith with Jadon Sancho.
Embattled winger, Antony, who is absent from the squad “until further notice” has also been included in the 25-man list of Manchester United.
The Red Devils finished 3rd in the Premier League last season, and they did impressive business in the summer transfer window, to plug round pegs in round holes.
What is the reason for the exclusion of players like Hojlund and Garnacho?
This list consists of players who are 21 years old and above, and according to Premier League rules, players born on or after 2002 don’t need to be registered.
In that case, clubs are permitted to make use of as many Under-21 players as they wish during the season.
Rasmus Hojlund was born on February 4, 2003, and he is still 20 years old, meaning he is below the age threshold.
Alejandro Garnacho was born on July 1, 2024, and he is 19 years old. The Argentine is also under the age stipulated.
Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo, who had an impressive preseason with Manchester United was born on April 19, 2005, and he is 18 years old.
Mainoo is also under the threshold, and as such the Old Trafford club have the leeway to exclude them from the list.
Amad Diallo was born on July 11, 2002, and that shows that he was born after January 2002, although he is 21 years old.
The absence of these youngsters from the 25-man list, which has generated lots of reactions, definitely indicates that Manchester United are a club stacked with options.
However, the youngsters could be called upon at any point of the season to offer support to the main squad as the season progresses.
Manchester United Premier League 25-man squad for the 2023/24 season:
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Sergio Reguilon, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri, Donny van de Beek.
Forwards: Antony, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho.
