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Manchester United progressing in contract negotiations with first-team players.
A number of first-team players at Manchester United are in the process of negotiating new contracts as Erik ten Hag seeks to continue his remarkable success at Old Trafford.
With just five points separating United from league leaders Arsenal, who later this week will engage in a big match against second-place Manchester City, United has a remote opportunity to challenge for the title if form holds up in Ten Hag’s first season.
The Dutchman’s side are the only team in Europe competing on four fronts, and play Barcelona in the Europa League later this week with a trip to Wembley also on the horizon against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
Ten Hag has made it clear that he wants his squad to compete in every match that United plays. Development has been supported by gains in performance achieved by a number of players whose long-term fates are uncertain.
Recent one-year extensions in the contracts of Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot, and Luke Shaw brought up the expiration of each of their current deals in 2024. All three players, who are now essential first-team members under Ten Hag, are negotiating long-term contracts with United, and we are informed that deals will be finalized soon.
Rashford finally looks to have matured into the forward he has long promised he could become working alongside Ten Hag and his coaching staff this season, and headed a crucial opener in the win over Leeds on Sunday.
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This season, the England international has 29 goal involvements in 34 games and 21 goals in all competitions.
Sources from inside United have continually indicated Rashford is due a substantial pay rise following his performances so far this campaign. United are delighted with the 25-year-old’s progress and Ten Hag has consistently stated his pleasure to work alongside him publicly.
While negotiations for Rashford’s contract are moving along, Ten Hag believes Dalot will play a significant role in the team’s future and the club is getting close to signing him to a contract as well.
Shaw, who is currently playing some of the best football of his career and has thus far this season proven to be a more than capable left centre-back, has also had a contract extension approved by Ten Hag. However, Shaw did contribute the assist from left back for Rashford’s first goal at Leeds.
Premier League rivals Chelsea, the club Shaw supported as a boy, have been mooted as potential suitors should a departure become more likely – though United are ready to extend the 27-year-old’s spell beyond the ten-year mark.
Alejandro Garnacho’s second goal for United at Elland Road was a resounding response to criticism levelled at him for his performance in the midweek replay against United’s opponents. United are said to be optimistic that a deal will be made in the end and unfazed by recent rumours connecting the young Argentinian to some of Europe’s elite teams.
For first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea, whose current contract is coming to an end, United are currently negotiating a new one. A deal with more favourable conditions is anticipated to be finalized by the end of June. It is believed that the negotiations are doing well, although it is still unclear how much of a cut the Spaniard will accept.