NEARLY two months into the 2021-22 Premier League season it's become painfully clear which players are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.
Donny van de Beek is clearly in desperate need of an Old Trafford exit.
But he's by no means the only player who could use a change of scenery to save his career.
SunSport takes a look at SEVEN players who could – and should – quit and move on this winter.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK
YOU'VE got to wonder just what Van de Beek has done to upset Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Dutchman, 24, moved to Manchester United in a £40million move from Ajax in the summer of 2020, with expectations high after excelling in Holland.
Van de Beek has started just FOUR Premier League games in over a year with his frustration growing by the day.
The midfielder was spotted appearing to throw his chewing gum in the direction of the dugout after Fred and Jesse Lingard were picked over him to come off the bench during the late win over Villarreal last week.
He's played just ONCE in the Prem this season – coming off the bench in the 4-1 win over Newcastle in September.
And it doesn't look like Solskjaer will be giving him a sniff in the coming weeks either.
Having rejected the advances of Everton in the summer, United surely must allow Van de Beek to join the Toffees – who are again interested – this winter, even on loan.
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DELE ALLI
HAVING started just seven Prem games under Jose Mourinho – and Ryan Mason – last season, Dele has enjoyed more success under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The former England star, 25, has started six of Tottenham's seven league games – even scoring in the 1-0 win over Wolves.
But it's fair to say Dele hasn't reached the heights expected of him after bursting onto the scene at Spurs following his £5m move from MK Dons in 2015.
With such undoubted potential, Alli could certainly use a winter transfer to kickstart his career, with plenty of time to break back into the England set up in the years to come.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
NOW into the final year of his £180,000-a-week contract at Arsenal, Lacazette looks set to leave.
SunSport exclusively revealed the Gunners are already looking at replacements, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins on the shortlist.
But once considered one of the most-feared forwards on the planet, Lacazette – who cost Arsenal £52m in 2017 – is suddenly second fiddle at the Emirates.
The France ace, 30, has played just TWO Prem games this season – both off the bench.
With Arsenal hoping to avoid losing him on a free, they could cash in on Lacazette in January.
And there's no doubt it would be the best scenario for both clubs.
ROSS BARKLEY
A 33-CAP England international, Barkley is at risk of never adding to his Three Lions tally.
After bursting onto the scene as a teenager with Everton in 2010, he joined Chelsea in 2018.
Barkley, 27, made 48 Premier League appearances across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons – but has made just THREE since.
The midfielder was sent out on loan to Aston Villa to rediscover his top form last season and briefly appeared to find it, before cooling off late in the campaign.
Barkley had played just ONCE in the Prem this term – off the bench.
And with plenty of competition in the squad – particularly following Ruben Loftus-Cheek's strong return from injury – it's surely time for Barkley to move on.
If he plays his cards right, there's still time to break back into the England fold.
PHIL JONES
NOW into his 11th season at Man Utd, Jones is back on the comeback trail following a series of nasty injuries.
The ex-England star, 29, has played just two Prem games since the 2018-19 season and was even dropped from Solskjaer's squad entirely for a phase last season.
Now back in the squad, Jones sits behind new signing Raphael Varane, captain Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in the pecking order.
Still in his prime years, Jones has plenty of time to finish his career with a bang.
But he'll need to move soon, with minutes for the Under-23s and sitting on the bench for Carabao Cup games not quite what Sir Alex Ferguson had in mind after signing him from Blackburn.
Remember Fergie once claimed: "Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best ever player."
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
AN Arsenal youth product, Maitland-Niles came desperately close to leaving in the summer after publicly asking to leave.
The versatile midfielder, 24, took to social media to say he wants to be 'where I'm gonna play'.
And after years of being played out of position at full-back, loaned out – to West Brom last season – and sitting on the bench, it appeared Maitland-Niles would get his wish.
But he's since carved out a potentially bright future for himself at the Emirates after playing in five of Arsenal's seven Prem games this season, even starting once.
However, Maitland-Niles has benefited from Granit Xhaka's three-month injury layoff.
And when the Swiss star returns, he could be back on the bench – with a fresh start in 2022 unquestionably the best thing for his career.
LORIS KARIUS
THE German goalkeeper hasn't played for Liverpool since the infamous 2018 Champions League final.
Karius made two enormous gaffes as the Reds lost 3-1 to Real Madrid.
The ex-Manchester City youth product, 28, spent the next two seasons on loan at Besiktas, before playing just FOUR times on loan at Union Berlin last season.
Karius had been linked with a move to Swiss side Basel in the summer, with the Swiss side set to launch another bid in January.
Behind Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian in the pecking order, Liverpool will surely sell.
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