A number of Premier League players were released by their clubs on Friday. Here is a list of 10 biggest names to be released, including an African star and a Manchester United midfielder.

Click through the gallery to see which big names were released by Premier League sides.

Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure was possibly the biggest name after being released by Manchester City.

Toure spent eight years at the Etihad, where he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup title.

Michael Carrick was also named among the players released, as the Man United midfielder will retire and join Jose Mourinho's coaching staff next season.

Liverpool parted ways with two senior players, releasing Emre Can and John Flanagan, although the former is expected to complete a move to Juventus.

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