With the January transfer window now closed, managers and clubs are left to look at the squads they have been left with. For Manchester United, the biggest outgoing of the month was the sacking of Ruben Amorim – who was initially replaced by Darren Fletcher and now Michael Carrick – while a number of fringe players were shipped out on loan.
The club made no signings during the transfer window but they are set for a busy end of the season with a number of key players entering the last years of their contract. With the ownership in the process of appointing a new manager, the club will be hoping to retain some of their best talent so that their future coach can assess them.
Bruno Fernandes
Appointed club captain in 2023, Fernandes has been the lifeblood of United ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed him from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Since then no other player has played more games and had more goal involvements than the Portuguese midfielder for United.
Despite being linked with a move away from the club on a number of occasions in the past year – including turning down a mega move to Al-Hilal last summer – the 31-year-old United captain has stated he doesn’t want to leave the club.
Fernandes has epitomised what United stand for since arriving at the club and has led the side to winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in recent years. In what has been a hard period for United, Fernandes has been a shining light through all of it and keeping a player of his character is crucial as the club look to rebuild under new management.
His current contract is set to run until 2027. A new deal must be offered.
Kobbie Mainoo
The outcast under Amorim, Mainoo went from starting the 2024 Euro final for England to being ostracised from the first team this season. One of the hottest English prospects was rumoured with a move away from his boyhood club amid being frozen out from the team.
However, recent reports have suggested that United are set to begin contract negotiations with Mainoo over extending his deal that only has 18 months left on it. With an ageing Casemiro on his way out from the club, United must realise they need to tie Mainoo, 20, down to a new deal, and if so, he could sort the holding midfield position for years to come.
Lisandro Martinez
‘The Butcher’ – as he is commonly known as – has divided opinion at times during his spell at the club but after a criticised start to his time in Manchester, the Argentine has become a valuable defender for United.
His contract runs out in June 2027 meaning clubs will be able to enter negotiations to sign the defender as a free agent halfway through next season. United will not want to let him leave on a free, especially as Martinez’s ball-playing ability is an incredibly useful tool for the side.
Having only just turned 28 last month, he put in one of best displays during the win against Manchester City last month, showing that he still has plenty to give in a Red Devils shirt. With Harry Maguire’s future also uncertain, United will not want to upheave their rear guard.