Manchester United face arguably the most important summer at any point since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer overseeing the gradual emergence of a squad that might soon have the potential to challenge for major honours again.

United need to add more players in several key positions throughout the squad, but there is also the matter of continuing to remove any lingering deadwood and streamline so that resources can be better used to build.

Here’s a closer look at every first-team player on the books at Old Trafford and whether they should stay or go this summer…

David de Gea (STAY) – Although De Gea’s slump has lasted two years and was quite problematic in the final weeks of the Premier League season, letting the Spaniard to go is a gamble. He also deserves a show of faith for staying loyal throughout Real Madrid’s interest. Also, is the market really there for him this summer? Probably not.

Dean Henderson (STAY) – The answer to the De Gea conundrum is not simply to ignore it and hope it goes away by itself, because that has been the attempted solution so far and it hasn’t worked. He needs genuine stiff competition and Henderson can give that.

Sergio Romero (GO) – If Henderson is brought back to compete with De Gea – it may be a big if given he is rumoured to be seeking assurances of a starting role – it would be time to let Romero go. The Argentine has been a reliable and loyal number two and would be missed.

Lee Grant (STAY) – 37-year-old Grant is pretty much a perfect example of a good third choice goalkeeper, who knows the likelihood of actually playing is slim. His importance to the squad is more on the training pitch than the actual pitch.

Joel Castro Pereira (GO) – Now 24, Pereira knows that any chance of ever becoming United number one has gone. The Portuguese only has one more year left on his contract so this summer would be an opportunity to at least charge a transfer fee. Small is all it would be.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (STAY) – Already looks worth every penny of the £45m fee United paid Crystal Palace last summer. Fatigue looked to kick in towards the end of the Premier League campaign, although the chunk of the season post-restart also brought better attacking input.

Luke Shaw (STAY) – Shaw has perhaps enjoyed his best individual season at United, despite having been named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year 12 months ago. When fully fit, the 25-year-old has an awful lot to give and injury was a cruel way to curtail his campaign.

Brandon Williams (STAY) – The teenager can be thrilled with a debut season in the first-team that has seen him make over 30 appearances. This time last year, Williams was preparing for his permanent promotion to the Under-23 squad.

Diogo Dalot (GO) – Dalot hasn’t lived up to early expectation when he joined United in 2018. Even after overcoming frustrating injury problems that plagued the first half of his season, he was so out of favour that he barely made it back into the squad when fit. Bizarrely linked with Barcelona.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah (GO) – The Dutch defender is still only 22 and made his first United appearances in three years towards the end of the Premier League campaign. That was more out of necessity, however, and his playing prospects are small if he stays.

Ethan Laird (STAY) – United need full-back depth and it is thought to be a position on Solskjaer’s transfer wish-list, but if budgetary or time constraints don’t allow it to happen that could open a door to home-grown talent Laird, who made two first-team appearances this season.

Harry Maguire (STAY) – Good but room for improvement is perhaps the best way to describe Maguire’s first season at Old Trafford. The former Leicester star clearly has capability when it comes to being a leader but he’s not a world class player himself yet.

Victor Lindelof (STAY) – Lindelof is still capable of making mistakes, but he has shown enough good things in his United career to date. The Swede is a good complement to Maguire in terms of playing style and is now 26 and about to hit what should be his peak.

Eric Bailly (STAY) – On his day, Bailly is potentially a top defender. The problem is that he has struggled for four years to stay fit for a proper run in the side. With his contract up in 2022, the coming season could be his last chance to prove he deserves to stay longer.

Chris Smalling (GO) – Of all the United players who have been on loan in 2019/20, Smalling has done the most to suggest he deserves another chance in Manchester. The problem is that he is the most saleable asset that can afford to be let go and the club need to boost the summer budget.

Phil Jones (GO) – It is sad that it has ended this way when he was once tipped for superstardom, but Jones has now overstayed his welcome at United. The 28-year-old was hopeless when he did play, which was rare, before eventually succumbing to injury…again.

Marcos Rojo (GO) – At times, Rojo looked like he could be a real United star. But woeful performances and a terrible injury record ensure he will be remembered as a flop. The latest gossip is that he would prefer to stay in Argentina following his recent loan at Estudiantes.

Axel Tuanzebe (STAY) – In what was supposed to be his breakout year as a United player, Tuanzebe was ravaged by hip and hamstring injuries and missed valuable chances to impress at first-team level. Solskjaer is a fan but he will be playing for his future next season.

Paul Pogba (STAY) – There was never likely to be a buyer with the necessary funds to make an acceptable offer for Pogba, but now that the Frenchman is thought to actively want to stay it is a huge boost. His relationship with United’s attacking players is special.

Nemanja Matic (STAY) – Matic earned a new three-year contract earlier this month, a surprisingly long-term deal for someone his age. The Serbian has been a revelation as United’s defensive midfield shield when it previously looked as though he was past it.

Fred (STAY) – The Brazilian probably no longer gets in United’s strongest XI, but an impressive first half of the season in a struggling team will ensure that he retains an important place as a squad player moving forward. Rotation will be key next season and beyond.

Scott McTominay (STAY) – The 23-year-old is another whose value now lies as a squad player rather than an automatic starter, although he could eventually replace Matic and will continue to develop in that role as opportunities present themselves.

James Garner (GO on loan) – Now 19, Garner needs first-team football to take his career progression to the next level and he probably won’t get that if he stays at Old Trafford in the short-term. Ultimately, Solskjaer has hopes the youngster will be the next Michael Carrick.

Bruno Fernandes (STAY) – The impact Fernandes had upon joining United in January was beyond what even the most optimistic fans could have hoped for. His goals and creativity lifted the whole team and he won two Premier League Player of the Month awards.

Jesse Lingard (GO) – Lingard scored in the final day win over Leicester, his first direct goal involvement in the Premier League since January 2019, but the time has come to move on. It is telling that he barely even made it onto the bench in the league after February.

Juan Mata (STAY) – As a bit-part squad player, Mata still has something to offer United, especially when it comes to rotation and ensuring there is suitable depth for Solskjaer to call on. Could potentially leave next summer at 33 when his contract is up.

Andreas Pereira (GO) – Rather like Lingard, it was telling how little he played once United found their rhythm and a settled XI from February onwards. Arguably only appeared as much as he did this season because there were no better options.

Marcus Rashford (STAY) – A difficult start to 2019/20 turned into Rashford’s best season to date. He reached 20 goals in all competitions for the first time in his career and is rapidly maturing into a senior leader in the squad at the age of just 22.

Anthony Martial (STAY) – Being restored to a centre forward position and having his old number nine shirt back worked wonders for the Frenchman. There has been a shift in his mentality and attitude and he too reached 20 goals for the first time in his career.

Mason Greenwood (STAY) – Greenwood only turned 18 in October and has scored 17 goals in his debut season as a first-team player. There is yet time for him to reach 20 when the Europa League resumes and the sky is the limit for such a naturally skilled finisher.

Odion Ighalo (STAY) – Ighalo had his loan from Shanghai Shenhua extended until the end of January 2021, by which time United will hope to have secured the extra striker they are seeking. The Nigerian will continue to be a relief and cup player.

Daniel James (STAY) – The Welsh speedster seemed to run out of steam after Christmas and never quite recaptured his early form even after the season restarted. Only played as much as he did because there were no other options and will likely be a squad player in future.

Alexis Sanchez (GO) – While there may be opportunity to raise transfer funds by selling Sanchez, United mostly just need to remove the burden of the Chilean’s squad-high salary from the wage bill. With resources stretched anyway, that money could be far better spent.

Tahith Chong (GO on loan) – With a new contract until 2022 under his belt, Chong now needs first-team football to demonstrate he has got a long-term future at the top level. The right opportunities won’t come at Old Trafford right now, especially if Jadon Sancho arrives.

Watford and Bournemouth joined Norwich in the relegation places on Sunday as the Premier League concluded, with the trio of clubs who all went up in 2015 returning to the Championship together. How cute.

Norwich have been likeable but otherwise pretty dire, Bournemouth concede loads and can’t score and Watford might have been okay if lockdown hadn’t been longer than the majority of their managers’ tenures. In the end, a mere 34 points could have secured Premier League survival.

But despite the three clubs largely underwhelming for most of the season, Norwich, Bournemouth and Watford all still have a selection of Premier League quality players who could make decent cut-price signings this transfer window.

Let’s take a look at the very best.

Just 18 months ago, Wilson was linked with a bumper £50m move to Chelsea. The Blues have instead decided to sign some fella called Timo Werner this summer, but Wilson could still prove to be a thrifty signing for a number of top-tier sides.

However, the striker’s stock has fallen considerably since last January, with his goal return of just eight a contributing factor in Bournemouth suffering the drop this season.

Wilson is still a proven Premier League striker, having hit an impressive 14 goals during the 2018/19 season. He has been linked with a move to Newcastle, and with his contract expiring in 2023, a fee in the region of £20m has been quoted.

The Norwich academy product is one of a selection of youngsters in demand at Norwich after an impressive debut season in the top flight.

Despite being just 20, Aarons featured 36 times in the Premier League for the Canaries during the 2019/20 campaign, and has admirers in England and beyond.

Tottenham have long-term, pre-Jose Mourinho era interest in the fullback, but they could face stiff competition from German champions and European powerhouse Bayern Munich. Aarons’ Carrow Road deal expires in 2024, and a price of £18.3m is currently being quoted for the youngster.

Despite shipping 75 goals this season, much has been made of Norwich’s young, English backline because they’re… well, young and English.

Godfrey appeared 30 times in the Premier League this season and has not looked out of place in the top flight. The 22-year-old centre back was reportedly the subject of interest from Tottenham in February, although following the financial instability triggered by the coronavirus outbreak it is unlikely Spurs will be prepared to spend too big in the summer.

The defender’s deal runs until 2023 and has reportedly been valued at £50m (F I F T Y) by Norwich. German heavyweights RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are the two most recent sides linked with a move for him.

On his day, Deulofeu can be one of the most exciting, technically gifted and watchable players in the Premier League. He is one of those rare footballers who is capable of turning a game on its head with a flash of genius – as evidenced by his match-winning performance in last season’s FA Cup semi-final against Wolves. Deulofeu is the sort of player you’d want to see remain in the top flight.

But it would also be quite funny to see the former Barcelona man stay in the Championship and have the absolute s*** kicked out of him at Wycombe.

Deulofeu is currently nursing a serious knee injury, after rupturing his ACL in February. His Hornets’ contract runs until 2023, and Watford have previously rebuffed interest from Milan for the midfielder.

With his low centre of gravity, quick feet and deft flicks, Buendia is another player who is just terrific to watch and has been a large contributing factor to Norwich’s likability this season. Even his sending off against Burnley was pretty entertaining.

With Manchester United keen to land Jack Grealish this summer, a potential attacking midfielder merry-go-round could unfold in the transfer window.

Buendia is contracted to the Canaries until 2024, and has been linked with a move to Leeds, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid – but recently insisted that he was happy at the club despite relegation looming.

Watford’s record signing really grew into life in the Premier League, and on his day was a thorn in the side of the top flight’s very best. This was primarily demonstrated by his performances against Liverpool, as Watford inflicted a first top-flight defeat of the season on the Reds.

Sarr only joined Watford in the summer of 2019, and his deal doesn’t expire until 2024.

However, this hasn’t stopped the winger from being linked with a move Liverpool – despite the Reds’ reluctance to spend this summer – while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential destinations.

Is David Brooks any better than Gerard Deloufeu and Ismaïla Sarr? There’s probably not a lot in it. But is he young and British? You bet he is.

Bournemouth’s lack of goals this season can in part be credited to the absence of Brooks, who missed the entirety of pre-coronavirus football through injury. The winger had pitched in with seven goals and five assists the previous campaign.

Brooks contract expires in 2022, leaving this summer as potentially the last opportunity for Bournemouth to command a big fee for the midfielder. Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Welshman.

Doucoure was near-ever present for Watford during the 2019/20 campaign, making 37 appearances and chipping in with four goals. The versatile midfielder was at the heart of the Nigel Pearson revolution, with his tireless displays typical of the spirit instilled in the Hornets by Pearson, as the the former Leicester boss gave them a fighting chance of survival.

The 27-year-old was the subject of intense interest from Everton last summer, and has long made it clear that he has ambitions to play in the Champions League.

Doucoure is contracted to the Hornets until 2023, and Everton have been been tipped to reignite their interest this summer, alongside PSG.

Cantwell was one of the Premier League’s breakout stars during the 2019/20 season. Having featured sporadically during Norwich’s promotion campaign, he became an integral part of the Canaries side, featuring 37 times in the Premier League.

Confident, technically gifted and exciting – and constantly praised for his attitude – he has since been linked with Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle and Leicester.

Norwich’s lack of heavy spending means they are in a stable financial position and will be under no pressure to sell Cantwell and their other prized assets – although the 22-year-old’s contract does expire in 2022.

Imagine how many goals Bournemouth would have conceded without Nathan Ake. The centre back has been a figure of consistency for Eddie Howe’s side, and is arguably one of the few players, if not the only player on this list who could immediately challenge for a starting berth in a top six side.

The calibre of club linked with Ake reflects his quality; Manchester City are reportedly closing in on securing his signature, while Chelsea have also been linked with a reunion with their former player.

Any deal for the 25-year-old is poised to set clubs back more than £35m, with his contract set to expire in 2022.