Manchester United have six first-team players whose contracts expire at the end of this season, giving them the option to leave for free next summer.
Manchester United have six contract decisions to make in the next four months:
David de Gea Diogo Dalot Luke Shaw Fred Marcus Rashford Cristiano Ronaldo
The club has the option to extend them all for one year. Who will be extended and who should be fired for free? ???? #MUFC
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) September 12, 2022
However, according to The Manchester Evening News, the club have the option to activate one-year extensions on each contract and here we take a look at which players Erik ten Hag should be looking to keep or let go.
Luke Shaw – LET GO.
Shaw is entering his eighth season at United and has yet to reach the heights expected of him since moving from Southampton. New signing Tyrell Malacia is ahead of Shaw in the pecking order at the moment and it’s hard to see a way back for him, in terms of a regular first-team spot.
The Englishman has shown glimpses of his talent, but an ‘on season, off season’ mentality won’t cut it under Ten Hag. It feels like the right time for a parting of ways for both parties. The club must put their faith in Malacia and replace Shaw with a suitable backup option.
Diogo Dalot – HOLD.
Dalot’s career at United had not taken off as he had hoped until then. Loans to AC Milan and the supporting role of Aaron Wan-Bissaka could have seen the Portuguese right-back leave the club under a disappointing cloud.
However, Dalot appears to have been reborn under Ten Hag and impressive performances at the start of this season have seen him cement his status as a first-team star. Whether he has the overall ability to be a mainstay in the United side for years to come is up for debate, but he is definitely worth keeping in current form.
Fred – LET IT GO.
Difficult as Fred has quite a few good qualities. A regular in the Brazil XI, along with United’s new boy Casemiro, tells him the capacity is there. He has also shown his worth in the big club games, rushing and moving to good effect.
However, a lack of quality on the ball will likely spell the end for Fred at United under Ten Hag. The Brazilian does not have the precision to break lines with his progressive passes and the new coach demands this of his midfielders. Fred will continue to do a decent job for many of the sides, but unfortunately, it won’t be at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo – LET GO.
Who would have thought that this would be the easiest decision. Ronaldo had tried maneuver an exit from the club all summer and if he doesn’t leave in January, he will surely do so at the end of this season. Ronaldo has only started one league game with Ten Hag and when he has appeared it seems that his age is finally catching up with him.
Ronaldo will leave the club an undoubted legend and will always be remembered for his incredible contribution in his first spell at Old Trafford. Likewise, he played his part last year, providing the few happy moments in a season of misery. It would be a fairy tale ending to see him help United lift some trophies in his final season at the club.
Marcus Rashford – HOLD.
Rashford’s career at United was in danger of stalling. A below-par last 18 months saw him dropped from the England squad and left fighting for his place in United’s starting eleven. But, Ten Hag has given the 24-year-old new life, the hunger is back and the form is slowly starting to catch up to the level we know he’s capable of.
Having risen through the ranks at the club, Rashford understands what it means to play for Manchester United. The striker’s big game record is outstanding and his pace and ability on the counterattack are crucial to the way Ten Hag are currently operating.
David De Gea – LET ME GO.
A decision made with the heaviest of hearts. David de Gea has been immense for most of his time at the club. The Spaniard has won Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and United Player’s Player of the Year four times each, underscoring his importance to the club during its most difficult period in recent history.
However, De Gea no longer possesses the skills necessary for a modern goalkeeper. He’s still a wonderful goalkeeper, to be sure, but a lack of quality with his feet and reluctance to leave his line, coupled with his age and the wages he commands, mean United should be looking for a world-class alternative at the end of the season.
United Matchday Magazine: The Ultimate Pre-Match Experience Get ready for aggression and entertainment. United are on a mission to Moldova. And the new issue of Matchday Mag is out now!
Online football content like you’ve never seen before A unique match hub and carefully curated news, features and opinions No ads, no clickbait, no fake news – just 100% pure United Delivered instantly to your device with easy online ordering and secure Click Preview to see more or buy now for just £1.25 / $1.50 Limited Time Offer: SAVE 33% On A Season Pass – Use Discount Code SEASON33 At Checkout.
