‘I Was Staggered’ – Sky Sports Pundit Surprised At Number Of Manchester United Players Whose Contracts Are Running Out

Former West Ham United defender and now a Sky Sports Pundit, Matthew Upson has said that he was ‘staggered’ to see the number of players who are running out of contract at Manchester United at the end of the season.

To be specific, there are as many as eight players whose contract will run down at the end of the current campaign and the club’s hierarchy hasn’t been active in negotiating a deal with even one of them. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and captain Michael Carrick signed a one-year extension at the beginning of the season, while Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini are the players who could leave for free by the summer.

Mata, on his part, has already expressed that he is ready to stay with United for the rest of the season, while there remains heavy uncertainty over the future of the latter, Marouane Fellaini. The Red Devils are ready to hand him a new deal, but the midfielder on his part is stalling to sign an extension. The problems sure end here for United as Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Daley Blind also see their contracts running out. However, the club do have an option of extending their deal by another year.

And with that being done, former Birmingham City and West Ham United defender Matthew Upson has revealed that Juan Mata and Ander Herrera are the two Manchester United players who are likely to sign a new deal with the club.

“I was staggered,” he said after seeing the lengthy list, as quoted by Express Sports. I’m still recovering from the number of players they have with their contracts up. 

“We’re all talking about Arsenal and Arsene Wenger settling down the squad, but I look at Manchester United and didn’t realise they had so many players out of contract. 

“There are some players there from previous regimes, Fellaini for instance who it will be interesting to see what Mourinho’s thoughts are with him, Herrera was on that list and Mata. 

“So Herrera has been a real focal part for Jose Mourinho, I think he’s relied on him and done a good job. Mata when he’s played he knits things together nicely as well. 

“I’m pretty sure that maybe those two will stay on.”

It is certainly important to have our players tied down to new contracts soon as it might, beyond a point, affect their focus on the pitch. However, Jose Mourinho seems to have managed the players well so far and let’s hope it all goes smoothly.