Rooney, Schweinsteiger & 10 players who could leave Man Utd in January exodus

Jose Mourinho's slow start at Manchester United has sparked strong rumours of a string of departures from Old Trafford

Rumours are already rife regarding the ins and outs of Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The club spent a record amount of money in the summer, with Paul Pogba becoming the most expensive player of all time on his arrival, but Jose Mourinho is struggling to get his team going and they currently sit sixth in the international break.

With a host of so-called deadwood amongst the ranks at Old Trafford, Goal takes a look at the 10 players who could very well be leaving the club in the new year.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been ostracised at Old Trafford and Mourinho shows no sign of including him in his first-team set-up anytime soon. Forced to train with the reserves, the once all-conquering Bayern Munich maestro has been reduced to a wilting has-been determined to rejuvenate his career away from the shackles of his Portuguese master.

A move to the MLS seems likely, with Chicago Fire said to be in pole position to secure the 32-year-old's services, though a return to Germany could also be on the cards. Whatever happens in January, Schweinsteiger will not be a Manchester United player come the end of the season.

After impressing for Southampton, Morgan Schneiderlin was snapped up by the Red Devils in a deal worth around £27 million, but it was a short-lived love affair. The Frenchman has only played five minutes of league football under new United manager Mourinho and is deemed surplus to requirements. 

It's not all bad news for Schneiderlin, though, as Tottenham are said to be interested in agreeing a deal at a cut-price £14 million, with former manager Mauricio Pochettino keen to rekindle their successful relationship at White Hart Lane.

Memphis Depay was always going to find it tough at Manchester United after being handed the elusive No.7 shirt which has been donned with some of the greatest players ever to play the game. Undeterred, Memphis made the switch and while he has shown glimpses of what he was signed to do, his stay at the club has been a disappointing one. 

The winger has a plethora of options, it seems, as European clubs battle for his signature. Milan are said to be an option, as are Juventus, but Everton have emerged as the frontrunners to sign him as Ronald Koeman confirmed his interest in the winger.

Handed a year-long contract at the end of last season, this was always considered to be Michael Carrick's final one at Old Trafford. However, Mourinho has somewhat excluded him this season - he's named Carrick in his starting line up just once this season, much to the anger of Utd supporters.

Options at the top may be limited for 35-year-old Carrick, though a number of clubs are said to be interested in securing him on a short-term deal. 

Upon Phil Jones arrival from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, Sir Alex Ferguson likened him to Duncan Edwards and suggested he could be become one of the best in the world. United career has never really taken off, though, as he continues to fill gaps wherever needed.

Jones has operated at centre-half, right-back and central midfield during his Old Trafford stay but has rarely had a run in the team due to injury problems. Fed up of his unreliability, Mourinho is set to axe the England man in the new year, with a number of mid-table Premier League sides supposedly interested.

How do you replace the best? That's a problem United have had with the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes and ultimately Sir Alex Ferguson himself. But also Gary Neville. Widely recognised as the best right-back in Premier League history, United have found it difficult to find someone to fill his boots.

Matteo Darmian was signed to do just that. The Italian has not found success at Old Trafford, though, and looks set to return to Italy with both Milan clubs interested. Antonio Valencia is unlikely to be Mourinho's long-term solution at right-back, but will fill the role until a replacement is found.

Wayne Rooney's future has been much discussed this past year. A record breaker for both club and country, Rooney's demise has been difficult to watch for many. The passion remains, though his legs are unable to carry him as effectively and his failings in front of goal have seen him dropped into midfield. 

Rooney has options. Like Schweinsteiger, a move to the MLS is potentially one to explore. A little closer to home, though, are Everton, who have shown a keen interest in offering him a route 'home'.

A bit-part player for a lot of his Manchester United career, it seems time is up for Ashley Young. Mourinho has called on him a couple of times this season but has started just two games, sparking speculation of a January departure.

Like many of his team-mates, a host of Premier League players would be interested in his signature, though he would have to drop down the table to stay in the division.

Another who has made just two Premier League starts, Marcos Rojo's Manchester United's career looks uncertain. Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his defence with the weaker players being pushed out, of which Rojo is one.

With a young family to consider, a move back to his native Argentina could appeal to the centre-half, though a host of Spanish clubs are fighting for his services.

Though Daley Blind has featured in nine of United's 11 Premier League fixtures this season, he's been more a gap-filler than key man. With Mourinho set to spend part of the club's January budget shoring up his defence, Blind looks like the player who will drop out of his plans and consequency could be available to leave the club either permanently or on loan.

A player of Blind's experience will be much sought after should that be the case.

Juan Mata was expected to leave in the summer when Mourinho was announced as the new United boss, but has come into his own and has been one of the side's top performers.

However, with rumours of United spending mega amounts of money for the likes of Mesut Ozil, whose future at the Emirates looks uncertain, it could mark the end of Mata and a switch to La Liga in the new year looks a slim but possible opportunity.