Manchester United have triggered one-year contract extensions for four first-team players.
The 20-time Premier League champions have activated the options for Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred, and right-back Diogo Dalot.
All four players would have had the chance to leave the Premier League club in June on free transfers, but this option provides the club with a compulsory one-year extension.
Last week, manager Erik ten Hag spoke about United’s desire to keep the quartet and also revealed that negotiations will continue with goalkeeper David de Gea, whose deal is due to expire at the end of the ongoing season.
De Gea is currently United’s highest-paid player and the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world, earning £375,000 per week, and the club is attempting to negotiate a contract extension for him with the hope of lowering his salary.
Without an agreement by January 1, the 32-year-old Spaniard, who recently made his 500th appearance for United, will be free to agree pre-contract terms with any club.
Manchester United will return to action on Wednesday when they take on English Championship side Burnley, led by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.
