Nicky Butt didn't hold back in his assessment of Manchester United's current squad, calling it "average" and urging INEOS to make sweeping changes before the 2026/2027 season kicks off.

While United fans are celebrating a return to the Champions League, that very achievement has made the club's summer rebuild even more critical. Watching powerhouses like Bayern Munich and PSG in action has shown just how far the Red Devils still have to go to compete at the highest level.

It's not just about Europe either. United can't afford another season where they crash out of both domestic cup competitions in the first round. Depth across the pitch is essential, but equally important is clearing out players who aren't up to the standard.

Butt believes four players in particular need to go: Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, and Tyrell Malacia. Malacia's contract is already expiring, so his departure seems inevitable. The other three all arrived in the summer of 2024 but have failed to make a meaningful impact in the Premier League.

Mazraoui has shown flashes of quality, but his injury history is a major concern. Ugarte has already attracted interest from clubs like Galatasaray, who tried to sign him back in January. And Zirkzee simply hasn't delivered the goals or presence United need up front.

"It was highlighted when United played Leeds, the team that day was so young and so average," Butt told PaddyPower. "They're going to get rid of a few, but they need to bring in real quality."

For a club with United's history and ambition, average just isn't good enough. The message from Butt is clear: it's time for tough decisions and real investment in talent that can wear the shirt with pride and deliver results.