Manager Erik ten Hag could bid farewell to a number of Manchester United first-team players this summer window and gain not a penny in transfer fees in the process
Manchester United fans are gearing up for a summer full of transfer-based excitement with plenty of high profile incomings and outgoings expected at Old Trafford.
For six first-team Red Devils, we are approaching a stressful period of the football calendar where expiring contracts either get renewed or left ignored, meaning the players in question have reached the end of the road. For at least four of the aforementioned six, the end of the United chapter is seemingly nearing.
Erik ten Hag has already made clear to the current crop of United talent that he can be ruthless when required, but this presents a slightly different test.
The Dutchman will have to try and keep up the motivation of players who know their future lay elsewhere ahead a final push for Champions League qualification before the season’s end.
Mirror Football has analysed the six United stars who are as it stands out of contract come the end of June as their United deals edge closer to expiration.
David de Gea – Stays
Undoubtedly the biggest name on this list, the Spanish shot-stopper has been between the sticks for United since 2011. De Gea has earned plenty of praise and backlash in equal measure during that time, but poor form means he has seen more of the latter in recent campaigns.
David de Gea is out of contract with Manchester United at the end of the season
Despite this, a plethora of recent reports claim Ten Hag is keen on extending De Gea’s stay at the club with a new deal beyond the one-year option United already had in his current deal.
The update has received a mixed response from the United faithful, but the Spain international’s 12-year residence in the red half of Manchester looks set to continue.
Wout Weghorst – Leaves
Wout Weghorst could return to Burnley this summer
Many United fans have grown tireless of trying to justify Weghorst’s profligate finishing with claims he works hard and brings the best out of others – the facts are he simply does not score enough.
Eyebrows were raised when the Dutchman first arrived and the same fears that greeted his signing have been realised.
At the time of writing, Weghorst has notched a grand total of 0 (zero) goals in 14 Premier League appearances. Across all competitions, he has a grand total of two.
United’s need for a recognised goal-scorer beyond Marcus Rashford has been on display for much of this season and Weghorst simply cannot be relied upon in that regard, expect the striker to return to Burnley at the end of his loan.
Marcel Sabitzer – Leaves
Marcel Sabitzer has commented on his club future
Another loan deal, but a slightly more complex one. Hopes were high for Sabitzer when he arrived at the tail-end of the January transfer window from Bayern Munich and while there has been flashes of his talent, the jury is still out on the Austrian.
Sabitzer has contributed with some important goals, including a brace against Sevilla in the Europa League but he lacks the kind of standout quality many may have expected.
The 29-year-old has insisted he can play in a number of different roles within United’s midfield in what was perhaps a subtle to plea to try and persuade Ten Hag into turning this loan into a permanent deal.
Sabitzer kept his cards close to his chest when recently discussing his future, telling Sky Germany: “Of course, there hasn’t been any contact up until now, because they [Bayern] have a lot going on and so do we.
“Everyone is focused on their tasks. We’ll discuss and analyse everything calmly and see in which direction it’ll go.”
Phil Jones – Leaves
Phil Jones has not made an appearance for United this season
United’s forgotten man, Jones has been ruled out of the majority of this season due to injury, but in truth is unlikely he’d play much of a part anyway.
The defender, once tipped to become United’s best ever player by Sir Alex Ferguson, has missed far too much football over the last three years and has made just six league appearances since the start of 2019/20 season.
United do have an option inserted into Jones’ current deal which means they could extend one more year to his stay, but it would serve as quite the shock if that clause was activated.
Jones is yet to make a single appearance under Ten Hag.
Jack Butland – Leaves
Goalkeeper Jack Butland is yet to make his United debut
Amid reports United are prowling the market for a new goalkeeper, Butland may be fearing for his rank were he at Old Trafford on a permanent basis.
Already playing second-fiddle to De Gea, another shot-stopper would likely render Butland as third-choice and continue he hasn’t made a single appearance for United this season, dropping down the pecking order would be damaging.
Thankfully for Butland, he’s not at United on a permanent deal. The 30-year-old is on loan from fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
30 is no age for a ‘keeper and Butland will feel he still has more to offer, though it is unlikely to be at United.
Tom Heaton – Stays
Man Utd goalkeeper Tom Heaton
The 37-year-old goalkeeper barely plays for United as it is, though did make two appearances in the Carabao Cup this term – a competition the Red Devils did go on to win.
Heaton is certainly in the twilight of his playing career but could take on a similar role as Lee Grant once did at Old Trafford and use his experience as an asset in the dressing room.
Should United fail to bring in another goalkeeper and Butland returns to Selhurst Park as expected, it is likely Heaton is offered a one-year extension.
