Manchester Evening News

UNITED Ed has work to do as contracts run down

- By SAMUEL LUCKHURST samuel.luckhurst@men-news.co.uk @samuelluck­hurst

AS if Ed Woodward was not busy enough touching base with targets’ representa­tives and their clubs while Jose Mourinho hankers for a wingback, he will soon have to start negotiatin­g new deals with United players.

Nine of them have entered the last year of their contract and the scenario is markedly different to three seasons ago when United mulled over the futures of Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Andreas Pereira and Tom Thorpe. Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind’s deals technicall­y expire next year.

‘Technicall­y’ because one of the savviest things Woodward has introduced since he became executive vice-chairman four years ago is the option of an additional year clause in contracts. It safeguards the club’s investment and enhances their power in an era where the players usually force through moves.

Woodward implemente­d the extension option upon Herrera’s arrival three years ago. Every recruit since, with the exception of Marcos Rojo, has signed a contract with the option of an additional year, which is partly why United did not panic amid interest from Barcelona in Herrera earlier this summer.

Herrera’s renewal should be routine. He is, as his manager said of Nemanja Matic, a ‘Jose Mourinho player’ and the Basque is also believed to be focused on continuing his career with United.

Mata has started both of United’s Premier League fixtures and is not expected to depart. United did not announce the length of his contract after his club record move in January 2014 but it is believed to be a minimum of four years and an extension option probably exists.

United triggered that clause in Marouane Fellaini’s deal in January and he was another player whose contract length was not specified initially.

Fellaini has 10 months left to run now but enjoys an excellent rapport with Mourinho and the chances of him earning an extension are auspicious, particular­ly since Mourinho has already said another midfielder – Michael Carrick – has begun ‘probably his last season’ in M16.

There is uncertaint­y at left-back, though. Luke Shaw, 22, Daley Blind, 27, and the 32-year-old Ashley Young could be kept on until 2019 yet United have attempted to reinforce the left flank and are due to monitor Danny Rose’s situation over the next year.

Four Premier League clubs showed interest in Young during the January transfer window before Mourinho priced him out of a move.

Blind has only shone at centre-half since Mourinho’s appointmen­t and the Portuguese only seems to play him there when specialist options are unavailabl­e. Still, Blind has proven to be one of the more frugal post-Ferguson additions and is a worthy squad member, if not a first-teamer.

It has felt like Shaw has been stood in the last chance saloon for most of his United career and it might be closing time at the end of the current campaign.

Shaw’s improved profession­alism began before his injury and has impressed Mourinho sufficient­ly enough to reprieve him, despite the United manager recently craving a new left-back.

It could get busier for Woodward after the transfer window closes. *Club has confirmed option of an additional year.

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Luke Shaw

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