Some Manchester United players are on the verge of entering the final year of their existing deals, but the club will not offer new contracts without Erik ten Hag’s permission
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Incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will reportedly have the final say on whether Luke Shaw and Fred are handed new contracts at Old Trafford.
Both players are out of contract in 13 months’ time, although the Reds Devils do have the option to automatically extend their respective deals by a year. The club’s hierarchy are said to be considering triggering those clauses to give Ten Hag more time to decide whether they’re part of his long-term plan.
The Dutchman will become United’s new manager this summer. It’s believed he could be in the stands to watch the team’s final Premier League fixture of the season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Interim boss Ralf Rangnick will take charge of that game.
As reported by The Sun, United are in no rush to offer Shaw or Fred a new contract and will wait for Ten Hag to have his say. That will allow the 52-year-old to make an informed decision on both players, who’ve come under criticism this season.
Shaw was praised for his performances for England at Euro 2020 last summer but has struggled to replicate his form this term. The 26-year-old has managed just 20 Premier League outings, his lowest return since the 2017-18 campaign, mainly due to injury and Ralf Rangnick preferring Dalot.
Fred, meanwhile, has come under fire for not offering United’s back four enough protection. Many believe the 29-year-old is not good enough to help the Red Devils compete in either the Premier League title race or latter stages of the Champions League.
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United’s reported decision to delay handing out new contracts follows the backlash they received for giving Bruno Fernandes an extension last month. The Premier League club were manageress when they awarded Fernandes with a long-term deal.
“I’m flabbergasted if I’m being honest,” Arsenal legend Paul Merson told Sky Sports when the news broke. “You give him a four-year contract extension, more money, whatever it may be. A manager comes in, he might not like Fernandes.
“He might not like all the throwing the hands up, moaning at everybody when he doesn’t get the ball… it might be the lad at Ajax [Ten Hag]. Who’s got someone else, and he thinks, ‘You know, I’ve got someone else I want to bring in who wants to play my way.’
“I’m completely and utterly shocked. I cannot believe what’s happening. Everything’s just being done off-the-cuff. It’s been done off-the-cuff for the last couple of years at Man Utd and that is a prime example.
“Unless they’ve got a manager sorted, which I doubt they have… I’m very shocked. Especially that kind of player, you have to like that kind of player. You know, you’ve got to really like him. He’s a bit of a luxury player.
“If the lad from Ajax comes in, he plays a certain way of football, I’m majorly shocked. It’s a bit of a shambles at the moment.”
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