The Black Cats are preparing their squad for life in League One next season, with several players having departed the Wearside club.
Sunderland’s new era with Stewart Donald and Jack Ross has come with several new additions to their League One squad next season, including some exciting signings in Dylan McGeouch and Chris Maguire.
However, in addition to their new signings, there has also been several departures from the third tier side, including young prospect Joel Asoro and Tunisian attacker Wahbi Khazri, with Callum McManaman being the latest player to leave Sunderland.
And Sunderland fans have taken to social media to react to the news of their winger leaving the club for Championship side Wigan, only a few days after suggestions of the 27-year-old staying on Wearside to help with promotion back to the second tier.
McManaman joins Wigan for a second spell with the Championship side, after a poor season with Sunderland which ended in relegation, with the winger making 24 appearances and scoring just one goal.
The attacker joined the Black Cats on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion back in 2017, but McManaman failed to live up to the expectations of the Sunderland faithful, who hoped to see the winger recapture his form he had shown with the Latics in his six-year-stint from 2009 to 2015.
McManaman may not have helped prevent Sunderland from relegation from the Championship last term, but his experience with some lower league sides including Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday could have benefitted the Wearsider’s pursuit for League One promotion.
However, now McManaman has left Sunderland before one of their biggest season’s in their history, the Black Cats must move quickly to sign a replacement winger to fill the void left by the former Baggies player.
42-year-old Ross will certainly have his work cut out to sign not only a winger to replace their most recent departed player, but also player’s in other positions, including a striker who can fire them to the top of the league which they haven’t embarked on for 30 years.
And with only 15 days until Sunderland begin life in League One against Charlton Athletic, the former St Mirren boss will certainly be keen on having a settled group of players to choose from in order to get off to the best possible start next month.
Here is the best of the reaction to the news of McManaman leaving Sunderland to join up with his former side Wigan Athletic…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
