By Betsefy
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to extend the contracts of five members of their first-team squad.
David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Fred and Marcus Rashford will all see their deals at Old Trafford expire next June, although the Red Devils have the option of activating 12-month extensions in each of the contracts.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United have no desire to allow any of the five players to leave on free transfers at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
De Gea has once again been the team’s number one goalkeeper this term, with the Spain international holding off competition from Dean Henderson to keep hold of the gloves, with the latter sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest.
Dalot, meanwhile, replaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the team’s first-choice right-back for the second half of last season, and he has also been a key player under Erik ten Hag this term.
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The Portugal international recently revealed that he turned down the chance to join AC Milan on a permanent basis in order to battle for a regular role at Old Trafford.
“Milan are a great club and I loved the season with the Rossoneri. But it (transfer) wasn’t just up to me. In the end I decided to stay at United and it was the right decision,” Dalot, who has contributed one assist in seven appearances at club level this term, told reporters.
“If I’m a better defender I owe it to Milan. Italian football is different from the Premier League and I had to adapt in just one year and playing in Serie A has helped me a lot.
“Over the past two years here in Manchester, the minutes have increased and, consequently, so has self-esteem.”
Shaw and Fred are not currently part of Ten Hag’s first XI at Old Trafford, with the former losing his role at left-back to Tyrell Malacia, while the latter is battling the likes of Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Scott McTominay for the roles in midfield.
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Both players are believed to be part of the manager’s plans moving forward, though, and the club have no desire to let either player leave on a free transfer next year.
Rashford has also technically entered the last year of his contract, but the forward’s deal will also allegedly be extended before the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been in strong form for the Red Devils this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists in six Premier League appearances.
Rashford has allegedly been backed by Ten Hag to score at least 20 times this season in order to help the 20-time English champions challenge for the Premier League title.
The Red Devils are said to be keen to open talks with their academy product over a new long-term deal, with the discussions potentially taking place once his current contract has been extended to 2024.
