HD Marouane Fellaini Manchester UnitedGetty Images

Collymore: Fellaini on a free should be first of five out of Man Utd

Manchester United need to freshen up their squad in January, with Stan Collymore suggesting that Marouane Fellaini should lead a winter clear out of five fringe players from the Old Trafford ranks.

The former Liverpool striker has even suggested that he would release the Belgium international midfielder on a free to get him off the books and make space for a new arrival.

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He also believes that changes at the back are required, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo offering little to suggest that they are long-term solutions for Jose Mourinho.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger have also struggled for game time this season and both could be deemed surplus to requirements if the right offers are tabled.

Collymore is looking for Mourinho to make ‘a real statement’ to his squad, with the Portuguese about to take in a second opportunity to shuffle his pack since inheriting the reins from Louis van Gaal.

Premier League Worst Team of the Week Marouane FellainiGetty Images

He wrote in a column for the Daily Mirror: "I’d biff the Belgian [Fellaini] off, maybe even on a free, as soon as the transfer ­window opens next month.

"That would be a real statement to the dressing room, telling them Mourinho means business and that he is going to be around for the long haul.

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"I’d then look to ship out the players who don’t have a future at Old Trafford and bring in one, maybe two new signings who are ­brighter, hungrier, and who fit the United mould.

"I’d ship out Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin next month as well, if I could. 

HD Phil Jones Manchester UnitedGetty Images

"I know a lot of United fans will say Jones has played better in recent weeks, but I just don’t think the lad is their standard.

"He certainly isn’t going to be part of the core group Mourinho builds his team around."

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Of the quintet Collymore feels United need to move on, it is Fellaini who has figured the most under Mourinho this season.

Both he and Rojo have made 15 appearances in all competitions, but the Belgian has taken in 703 minutes of Premier League football.

Schweinsteiger has been restricted to just one EFL Cup outing off the bench, having been completely frozen out at one stage, while Schneiderlin and Jones have made eight and six appearances respectively.

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