Manchester United yet to trigger Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata contract extensions

The emergence of Edison Cavani and the consistency of Juan Mata have put Manchester United in a unique spot with regard to their contracts and possible extensions for next season.

Both players have deals that expire at the end of the season, and both contracts have a one-year team option United can trigger to keep them for another season, but United have yet to do so for either player. Typically, these moves are made mid-season.

Cavani’s play has seen him replace Anthony Martial in the first-choice lineup but the Uruguayan turns 34 on Sunday, and it is not the club’s policy to be handing out further deals to players at such an age.

Cavani’s influence on and off the field has been noticed by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who said recently:

“I think he (Cavani) has done really well, he’s been excellent. He’s obviously been injured, anyone can be injured. He came late [in the transfer window] so I’m really pleased with his influence. In the dressing room, his habits that he brings to training, his attitude to the game. You can see how well he looks after himself.

“He’s scored some very important goals for us and it gives us experience, he gives a lot. He’s just going to be here, better and better of course because he was out for seven months. We’ve been patient with him and I think he’s made a big impact.”

Mata’s situation is a little different, though. Since joining from Chelsea in 2014, Mata has made 265 appearances for United, but he has played in just six matches in the Premier League this season and there are options at his disposal, including a return to Spain as well as clubs in the United States.

It will be interesting to see how long the team goes until they trigger the extensions or if they let both players leave for free in the summer.

What are your thoughts on the situation?