A number of Manchester United stars are heading into the final six months of their contracts and their futures are uncertain, with Erik ten Hag still relying on several of them as first-team regulars.
Last summer, several stars left the club on free transfers, including Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard. As things stand, Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot are about to do the same.
Rashford and Dalot have grown into key players for Ten Hag and the pair were also integral to their countries at this winter’s World Cup.
Speaking after United’s mid-season training camp in Spain, Ten Hag has confirmed that the club will not allow their stars to leave for free next summer and will instead trigger options to extend their contracts for an additional 12 months, which means their deals will instead expire in 2024.
Erik ten Hag confirms Man United plan for players out of contract in June: “We are talking to them to extend contracts, but we have control because we have an option on all the players and we will exercise those options”. 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Rashford and Dalot will not leave for free. pic.twitter.com/k89KSBVzyf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 11, 2022
“We are talking to them to extend contracts, but we have control because we have an option on all the players and we will exercise those options,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Rashford and Dalot have both generated interest from European giants over the last 12 months, with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently confirming their plans to explore a deal.
Dalot’s stellar form for club and country has also earned him plaudits across the continent but it has been reported that the Portugal international prefers to extend his contract at Old Trafford over a move to Barcelona.
Ten Hag signed five outfield players over the summer and they have all become first-team regulars. An increased turnover in senior players could seriously harm the harmony, as has been the case with several promoted teams.
Rashford, in particular, has been a mainstay in the side since 2016 and his return to world-class form should be enough to earn him a new deal. At 25, he is entering his peak years and it’s in United’s best interest to keep him at the club.
