CHRIS SUTTON: Roy Keane was being kind… the time is up for ten Manchester United players

I might be the first person to ever utter these words but here goes: Roy Keane was kind. He said ‘five or six’ should never play for Manchester United again. I’d say that’s modest.

United fans want to see their team competing for the Premier League and Champions League. If we’re basing our decisions on who’s good enough to make them an elite club again, then we could hit double figures in terms of who gets binned. Their performance at the Etihad was embarrassing.

Manchester City are fantastic, but I can’t remember a side having 92 per cent possession as they did after the third goal in their 4-1 win. These clubs are neighbours but there is a gulf between them. 

Manchester United were outclassed in a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of their local rivals City

United legend Roy Keane said ‘five or six’ players should never play for the club again

At Arsenal, supporters can see Mikel Arteta trying to build a new team and so there’s been some patience. United need to hit the reset button too.

I know all of the players I’ve said ‘bin’ won’t suddenly go but this is my player-by-player verdict on a team that is going backwards.

David De Gea – KEEP

Question: Which goalkeeper has made the most saves in the Premier League this season? Answer: De Gea. 

He’s not been helped by the defence in front of him but has been a consistent stopper of shots. De Gea is one of the few who can hold his head high this season.

David de Gea is one of the few Manchester United players who can keep their heads up

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – BIN

Is Wan-Bissaka a bad right back? No. But in a weekend in which Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kyle Walker showed what they’re all about, Wan-Bissaka is lagging behind. 

The way Phil Foden made up 15 yards on him and won possession was alarming.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was given a torrid time against Manchester City’s attacking players

Victor Lindelof – BIN

As if allowing Foden to loop the ball over him wasn’t bad enough, he then stood and watched Kevin De Bruyne score instead of getting back to help. Just not the action of an elite defender.

Harry Maguire – BIN

Instead of clearing the danger after Foden’s shot was saved, Maguire let the ball run through his legs, not realising Bernardo Silva was storming in for the rebound.

 I’m surprised that wasn’t highlighted more amid the analysis of De Bruyne’s second goal. Maguire’s £80m move to United hasn’t worked out. He’s not the Virgil van Dijk they hoped he was.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are not performing at an elite level for Manchester United

Alex Telles – BIN

Completing a fully-binned back line is Telles, who was pointing at De Bruyne as he scored City’s opener. 

Full backs are essential if a team want to be successful today. Think Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. Think Walker and Joao Cancelo. Telles isn’t in that bracket.

Alex Telles isn’t on the same level as other full-backs at top clubs in the Premier League

Scott McTominay – KEEP

McTominay has got something about him. He’s tenacious, aggressive, and brings energy. I like that. Although he can be neat and tidy, he’s not the greatest technician and so he needs that someone alongside him who can play. But there’s potential in McTominay, who I’d keep.

Fred – BIN

I’d let Fred leave. He lacks discipline, wanders and switches off. De Bruyne ghosted by him to get the party going for City. That was a key moment and one Fred could and should have prevented, had he been alert to the danger. 

Fred lacks discipline and switches off as shown by Manchester City’s first goal on Sunday

Anthony Elanga – KEEP

He’s young, raw, and giving it a go. Elanga carries an exciting threat. I’m not saying he delivers nine out of 10 performances week in, week out. 

You can’t expect that of inexperienced kids. One week he might be an eight. The next he’s a five. But Elanga has impressed Ralf Rangnick enough that he’s seemingly ahead of Marcus Rashford.

Paul Pogba – BIN

Pogba’s time in a red shirt is up. There have been too many distractions and I don’t think we can say it’s been a success. 

He can go from being a world-beater to a passenger way too easily. Too many times we’ve said he could do more, given the talents he possesses. 

Paul Pogba is in the final months of his deal and is widely expected to leave Old Trafford

Jadon Sancho – KEEP

He had a slow start but the longer the season’s gone on, the more I’ve liked him. He’s talented — just look at his goal against City. 

Has he hit his peak yet? Definitely not. But there have been enough good signs to suggest he can develop into a top player. 

Bruno Fernandes – KEEP 

He was United’s main man but hasn’t had the same impact this season. I wonder how much of that is down to Cristiano Ronaldo overshadowing him? 

The team, the tactics, the play all has to revolve around Ronaldo and I don’t think that has helped Fernandes. 

And onto four more who should go too… 

Marcus Rashford – BIN

Reports have suggested he wants out. If that’s the case, off you pop. If Rashford is looking for someone to blame for his United career going downhill then he should look at himself. 

Ronaldo was out, Edinson Cavani was out and yet he didn’t start against City. Ask yourself why. 

Reports have suggested that Marcus Rashford is looking to leave Manchester United

Jesse Lingard – BIN

Rangnick doesn’t see him as more than a squad player. Time for Lingard to cut ties and get his career back on track. 

Cristiano Ronaldo – BIN

Extraordinary player with an extraordinary ego. I questioned United’s move for Ronaldo, fearing his presence would have a detrimental impact. 

I see this as more of a commercial signing than a smart one in terms of tactics. He’s 37 now and it’s time to move on. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s signing was more commercial than smart in terms of tactics

Edinson Cavani – BIN

Cavani is 35 and good at spotting space to invade but I don’t think he’s the future. In the summer, United should really be looking for someone who can lead them for seasons to come.