Manchester United have eight players who will see their contracts expire next summer, including Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire. The club are planning urgent talks with several squad members as they decide who to invest in ahead of a major overhaul.
Fernandes set for pay rise
Fernandes underlined his status as the club's talisman at the weekend as he scored a hat-trick in the win over Ipswich. His deal includes the option of a further year, tying him down until 2028, and the club have it on their radar to sit down with him sooner rather than later with financial rewards on the table.
The Portuguese star is poised to become the club's highest earner as they prepare to bump up his pay from £300,000-a-week to £350,000-a-week.
Defensive overhaul on the cards
Other members of the squad, especially in the backline, will need to prove their worth over the coming season ahead of an overhaul. The defence is seen as the next area that needs addressing with the Old Trafford bosses ready to spend big - as they have done on midfield and attack in successive summers.
Luke Shaw, now 31, is out of contract next year and will likely need to take a cut on his £200,000 weekly salary if he wants to remain in Manchester, reports The Sun. Their pursuit of a new left-back was well documented, casting doubt over Shaw's future.
At centre-half, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are both men with contract sagas that are yet to play out. The Argentine has entered the final year of his deal but United are expected to trigger the one-year extension to keep him firmly tied down. Fitness has been an issue, but when available he's regularly been a strong performer.
Maguire meanwhile agreed a one-year contract with the option to stay for an extra 12 months in April. The 33-year-old is now the United vice-captain and has started in every game he has been available for under Michael Carrick, but ultimately age will eventually factor in. Especially with youngsters like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven in the mix.
Youngsters and veteran face uncertain futures
A trio of young players in Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher will all see their contracts expire come the summer of 2027 and their futures may depend on whether they show enough to convince the United bosses that they have what it takes to cut it in the first-team.
Amass, who last year was on loan at Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, is effectively Shaw's back-up this year but United were willing to offload him in the summer. The two Fletchers, who play in midfield roles, may see their routes into the first-team blocked off by the club's recruitment drive in that position, leaving them in an awkward predicament.
Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton will also be out of contract, having signed a new one-year deal to remain with the club in June. The 40-year-old is a hugely influential figure at Carrington and should he decide to hang up his gloves, he could stay at United in a different capacity.
