(Football news) Manchester United have triggered the one year contract extension clause for Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred and Diogo Dalot to ensure that they don’t leave for free in the 2023 summer transfer window. Players are free to negotiate with other clubs in January if their contract expires in the summer but Manchester United have ensured that their four first team players will remain at Old Trafford for another year at least while negotiations continue for a new deal.
David de Gea’s contract is also expiring in the summer and the club are currently negotiating with the Spaniard for a shorter contract on reduced terms. If they would trigger De Gea’s one year extension (based on his 2019 contract), he would earn £375,000, thereby becoming the highest paid goalkeeper in the world, a figure Manchester United are reluctant to pay. If no agreement is reached between the two parties then De Gea will be free to agree pre-contract terms with an overseas club.
Erik ten Hag is keen to extend Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot’s contracts as they are a vital part of the Dutchman’s rebuilding process. According to The Athletic writer Laurie Whitwell, Rashford’s new contract could make him one of the highest earners at the club at about £400,000 per week while Dalot has cemented himself as a first choice right back without any real competition. While Fred has had a reduced role since the arrival of Casemiro and Eriksen, he remains an important squad player while Shaw remains a solid left back option despite the arrival of Tyrell Malacia.
As things stand, Jadon Sancho has still not returned to the Carrington training ground as he continues to attend a special training program in the Netherlands. Earlier, Ten Hag said that Sancho was not “fit enough” to attend the club’s Spain training camp and has not featured for Manchester United since their match against Chelsea on October 22nd. Manchester United will take on Burnley in the EFL Cup Round of 16 on Thursday, 22nd December at 1:30 am and will not have Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez available for selection.
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