Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United are in contract talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial. At the turn of the year, ...
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United are in contract talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
At the turn of the year, a number of United stars’ deals were set to expire at the end of the season.
The Red Devils have acted swiftly to trigger one-year extensions for three of these players, namely Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri.
However, this still leaves the futures of Varane, Martial, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton and the on loan Sofyan Amrabat up in the air.
Reports had suggested that while United were keen on retaining World Cup winning centre-back Varane, they would not trigger the extension clause in his contract.
This is perhaps so they can negotiate a reduction in wages, with the 30-year-old said to be the club’s highest earner on around £340,000-a-week, but this move has not gone down well with the Frenchman who feels he is being pushed out of the club.
Whatever the case, Ten Hag has now confirmed these reports, addressing the contract extensions in his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s FA Cup third-round tie at Wigan.
‘We triggered the options on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal,’ the manager said on Thursday.
‘And we are talking with Raphael Varane and with Anthony Martial. I think that is an internal discussion between the club and the players.’
While most fans will be happy to see Varane stick around, the same cannot be said of Martial, whom many were expecting to finally leave Old Trafford after a disappointing nine year spell.
The French forward has scored just 12 Premier League goals over the last four seasons and came under heavy criticism earlier this campaign.
Ten Hag was also asked about Jadon Sancho’s status, with the outcast winger set to seal a return to Borussia Dortmund on loan, but, as expected, the Dutchman was coy on the matter.
Erik ten Hag confirms talks with Manchester United duo over contract extensions.
