Manchester United may be at a crossroads next summer. The Red Devils have a number of players who will be out of contract when the current Premier League season comes to an end. Which players are out of contract next season and will the club re-sign any of them?
5 Manchester United players in the last years of their contracts
1. David De Gea
David De Gea is in the last year of his contract, but there is a caveat to his ending deal. Manchester United do have an option for a further year. However, the Red Devils will need to address De Gea’s contract soon. In early September there were reports De Gea is to sign a new deal soon, but nothing official has been announced yet. With Thibaut Courtois now at Real Madrid, De Gea’s options for a move to a big club in Spain are limited.
2. Anthony Martial
Like De Gea, Anthony Martial has a club option on his contract. However, the way things have gone for the Frenchman, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him part ways with the Red Devils next summer. Martial has long been in manager Jose Mourinho’s doghouse. Mourinho has looked to replace the midfielder in the last three transfer windows. He isn’t wanted by the manager and may be on his way if Mourinho remains.
3. Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera joined Manchester United in 2014 for £32 million. His time at the club has seen him become a major contributor to the side. His current deal will expire in June 2019. According to reports, Herrera is keen to stay at Old Trafford, but the club is yet to make any kind of contract offer. Herrera is said to be ‘in the dark’ over his future at Manchester United. Come January, he could sign a pre-contract agreement with a team outside of England.
4. Juan Mata
It looks like Juan Mata will be leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2019. The midfielder has already turned down a contract offer and wants to return to Spain. It is believed Mata will re-join Valencia in the summer. He surprisingly joined Manchester United in 2014 for £47m from Chelsea. He had falled in Mourinho’s doghouse while both were at Stamford Bridge. Like Herrera, Mata was an expensive signing that could walk away for free. The Red Devils could cash-in on both of them in January before they can leave on a free deal.
5. Phil Jones
Phil Jones was one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects when Manchester United paid Blackburn Rovers £17.4m for him in 2011. It is debatable if the potential and promise he showed at Ewood Park were ever achieved. Jones has been at the club for seven seasons. He seems to becoming more error-prone each season. It hasn’t helped that Mourinho continues to buy — try to buy — centre-backs to replace Jones. If he leaves there will be plenty of Premier League teams lining up to sign him.