Agree with that list. Dalot, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Garnacho, Hojlund is it. There are other class players in our squad, but when this is asked, the things you consider are how much could somebody bid for someone like Case/Bruno/Rashford, what their current wages are, what their age is, what their style of play is and if that is perfect for your aspirations on the journey to be one of the best clubs around...
Dalot - right backs are a horrible market, not many impressive guys around Europe who are attainable in any way, not even loads of young promising guys. He's not perfect, but he's good, and it's unlikely we find someone to replace him as starter for a few years. Also at a very good age.
Martinez - top player as a very good age.
Shaw - world class player, perfect fullback for top clubs style wise, just fitness issues. Would be open to a big bid if there were some obvious alternatives out there, but it'd be a big downgrade anyway.
Mainoo/Garnacho/Hojlund - world class prospects already operating at a good premier league level, have no concerns there, they're the core of our future.
Of course, there are many others in our squad who are worth keeping whether as starters or depth players, or future growth guys. But in terms of the full package, the others all have some question whether it's wages don't match the level or squad role, or fitness and age are too problematic, or player style potentially is a limiting factor for us as a team (we have far too few players who are press resistant players who can carry the ball, in fact I'd say 5 of the 6 above are pretty much all but a few in our squad who have those qualities). So those guys all have a point at which it makes sense to sell and replace depending on balance of fees. For example Bruno, if we get a bid where we can replace him with Wirtz pretty much 1 for 1 at worst in wages and fees, then it's a better club decision due to age and press resistance/ball carrying ability. Same with Rashford and someone like Kvara/Leao (with some extra give in terms of fee).
The absolute musts for me this summer are replacing:
- CBs - get rid of Maguire and Varane, replace with younger guys who can also start. Lindelof can stay as a backup with Kambwala, but need at least a reliable and younger, potentially top CB like Todibo or Branthwaite, ideally also a 2nd who is left footed to cover for Martinez (Pavlovic is a popular buy on FM...)
- CM - Casemiro on his wages and age while we are doing a rebuild doesn't make sense. If we can get a big fee, replace with a younger guy who can start next to Mainoo long term. Also need long term functional depth and competition in there behind that pairing, Eriksen can't really be used, McTominay isn't really either of those types...
- Wingers - fine with keeping Rashford and Garnacho as the 2 starters, but the depth behind him needs adjusting. Be honest with Pellistri, sell Antony and Sancho, give Amad a role as a squad player, but buy a guy to compete and eventually replace Rashford probably like Nico Williams. Olise also an option, but I'm not convinced.
- CF backup - Taremi on a free would be fine for me.
That'd be a good start IMO. Need to drop the age of the squad and fix the financial situation and wages, add the right types of players, develop the team... And then build from there once we are settled.