Seven Manchester United players contracts are months away from expiring and with the ability to now talk to other clubs about a potential switch at the end of the season, which players should the club offer new deals to right away?
The club has taken various approaches to offer new deals over the past few years. Jesse Lingard and Chris Smalling have been handed four-year extensions due to upturns in form over the past couple of years.
Other, older players, have only been handed one-year extensions when they have approached the age of 30 irrespective of form.
It is rather unusual however for the club to sort out contract issues so late. I can’t remember too many times when players held in such high regards, like David De Gea and Anthony Martial, were playing week in week out but with only five months on their deal to run.
Perhaps the uncertainty of who would be the person pictured shaking the hands of a player who’s just signed a new contract has caused some delay. But now, given it seems Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to be in the hot seat for the foreseeable future, at least until the end of the season, it might be the time to start renegotiating again.
But which out of the seven possibly unattached players, should United bump to the front of the queue?
7. Matteo Darmian
A promising debut against Spurs, in hindsight, to this date his best performance in a United shirt. Never one to lack effort or commitment and has never moaned despite being mostly used as a squad rotation player, Darmian can be commended for his efforts. He is a solid defender and will be a good addition for any club outside the top six.
Sources have reported that the Italian’s one-year extension has been triggered to ensure he doesn’t leave for free at the end of the season, however, the club has not yet confirmed.
New contract? NO