Manchester United trigger one-year extensions for Rashford, Shaw, Fred, and Dalot, but not de Gea

Manchester United have reportedly triggered the one-year extension clauses in the contracts of Marcus Rashford, Fred, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot. All four players are on deals that were set to expire in the summer if not for the extensions, and the club now have more time to consider and negotiate potential new deals.

With the club currently exploring a sale amid another worrying financial downturn, the extensions buy valuable time for a club that must carefully consider its teambuilding under Erik ten Hag without clarity on where future investment will come from.

Fred is possibly the only exception of the four in terms of making contributions this season. Both Dalot and Shaw have taken hold of their respective full-back positions, and Rashford has returned to form and confidence this season. It’s still just a start under the new manager, but he will certainly want more time to work with them on deciding their roles for the future.

Notably the club did not trigger the one-year extension clause in David de Gea’s contract, which will only fuel more discourse around the goalkeeper’s future. The club have been linked with a move for a new keeper since the summer, and rumors continue to circulate in the search for a no. 1. With Dean Henderson on loan at a Premier League club he will have a body of work to put him in consideration, though his relationship with the club may be irreparable at this point.

Options in the transfer window will be expensive, but more feasible after moving on from one of the highest wage earners in the Premier League. His contract runs until next summer, and on January 1, 2023 he will be able to negotiate with other clubs for a pre-contract agreement.