Stan Collymore urges Jose Mourinho to ship out five players

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has urged Jose Mourinho to ship out five players in the January transfer window and bring in a couple of additions if sufficient quality is available. He was particularly frustrated with Marouane Fellaini, who gave away a penalty in Manchester United's draw against Everton last weekend and believes the Red Devils can do better with someone else in that position.

Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin are the others he would rather ship out, with Eric Bailly set to return to action against Tottenham, while the others have hardly had a run out in the team. However, he is willing to give Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw a chance to prove themselves and establish themselves in the team.

Collymore believes doing so will send a message across to the team that no one is indispensable and should they fail to perform day in day out, they will be shown the door. The Red Devils are currently sixth in the table, 13 points behind leaders Arsenal, having played a game less than the Gunners.

"Just like a big, fat turkey, Jose Mourinho's Manchester United squad needs trimming in the days after Christmas. And, first things first, he needs to get rid of the excess fat — in this case, Marouane Fellaini," Collymore said in his column in the Mirror.

"I'd biff the Belgian 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.

"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. 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 added.