With the January transfer window weeks away from opening, some Man United players are approaching the final six months of their contract.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is amenable to the team making moves during the January transfer window.
The endless strategic review is almost over, but the mid-season window opens on Monday and the Ineos Group’s 25% minority stake in United is still pending ratification.
Ten Hag has previously stated that Donny van de Beek is free to depart in the New Year, that offers for the banished Jadon Sancho will be considered by United, and that the futures of a number of other players are uncertain.
Ten Hag said, “I don’t think so, that a lot is going to happen in the winter,” in response to a question about whether United would be active. But if there are opportunities there, we need to be ready. We need to be prepared to take action in case of unforeseen events or specific circumstances.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial and Hannibal Mejbri are technically approaching the final six months of their contracts but United have the option of an additional year on each deal.
Realistically, United would have to trigger the extensions before the end of this month to prevent any of the players from reaching a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club and depriving United of a fee, should they intend to sell any of the players.
United triggered the one-year extensions in the contracts of Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Fred last December. Rashford, Dalot and Shaw all signed renewals earlier this year but Fred was sold to Fenerbahce in a £12.93million deal.
“Absolutely, it is in our mindset,” Ten Hag said of the contract situations. “We are discussing things and when we have news we will bring it.”
Sergio Reguilon’s season-long loan from Tottenham includes a break clause that can be exercised by either club. United had it inserted as they anticipated fellow left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia would be back from fitness for the second half of the season. Shaw has started the last four games but Malacia has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury that required a second round of surgery.
Tottenham has lost one of the previous 15 Premier League games and has a number of injury concerns. Left-handed choices Ben Davies, a left-back, has had to fill in at centre back because Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic have been out for an extended period of time.
Reguilon, 26, spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid and he has appeared nine times for United, starting in six.
“We have to make a final decision but also there is Spurs, who are involved in that as well,” Ten Hag stressed.
Ten Hag suggested rookie goalkeeper Radek Vitek could head out on loan in January, despite Andre Onana’s expected absence to participate for Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Back-up ‘keeper Altay Bayindir is expected to make his United debut in the FA Cup third round away to Wigan Athletic on January 8 and hold the position for up to five more games unless he is rotated with Onana this month. Ten Hag can also get in touch with Tom Heaton.
“What we need is three very good keepers for a successful season and talent in the back,” Ten Hag explained, “then the best situation is one or two keepers on loan because you have to develop them all the time.
“We are pleased with the group we have now. We were aware of the situation and we have to manage that, so we have cover. We have a very strong keeper group, especially the first three. They can all play, they are all capable of playing at the highest standards needed. We are happy with the group and we are comfortable. ”
