Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that some members of his squad are in for a "rough summer" as he looks to shake up his options once again head of next season.
Van Gaal has guided United back into the Champions League in his first season at Old Trafford, yet there are still question marks over the futures of several member of his first-team squad.
Robin van Persie and Jonny Evans are among those who have been linked with a move away from United this summer, with Van Gaal suggesting changes are imminent at the club's Player of the Year awards.
"It shall be a rough summer for a lot of players, but I think a top club like Manchester United has to do that," Van Gaal said. "I think our selection is unbalanced. We have managed to be fourth in the league, but we have to manage to be the champions.
"I don't think you have to keep the whole selection [squad], because when you purchase other players, you get another stimulus in the group also, and that you need.
"That is why we have to take care of the balance of the selection, but also to improve our selection, because we want to be champions.
"I can promise I can do my utmost best, that we shall fight to the end and more we cannot do. And that we make the right decisions when you purchase players and when players are leaving the club. It is a natural process and that the fans are not forgetting that."
Van Gaal's determination to improve in his second season as United boss was complemented by comments of praise for his players' efforts in recent months, as he offered this tribute to his squad.
"I have to say first of all I am impressed by the attitude and motivation of the players because I have always seen a fighting spirit," he added.
"Maybe in the game against Everton [a 3-0 defeat last month] it was a little bit less, but normally we were always fighting to the end.
"Also in training sessions they were there always. So I have to give a lot of credit to the players because it was not an easy season."