Manchester United are continuing attempts to agree new contracts with David de Gea and Marcus Rashford amid the uncertainty surrounding the ownership, Manchester Evening News report.
Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are among the front-runners to purchase the club and they have been handed an extended deadline to submit their second proposals to the Glazers.
There is no guarantee that the Glazers will walk away from United, but this has not stopped the hierarchy from trying to finalise fresh deals with De Gea and Rashford.
De Gea has only three months left on his current £375,000-a-week contract but United have the option to extend for another year. The club prefer a new long-term deal with a pay-cut.
Meanwhile, they have more time left for Rashford whose £200,000-a-week deal only expires in June 2024. Despite this, the club have made it a priority to sort out his future at the earliest.
Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Fred also have their contracts expiring in the summer of 2024, but the main focus for now is on De Gea and Rashford, who have been pivotal this campaign.
United moving on the right track with contract renewals
There has been suggestions that United are looking for a new goalkeeper but regardless of this, the club must sort out the future of De Gea, who has been in world-class form.
The Spain international has improved with his distribution and positioning over the course of the campaign and has also been brilliant in goal with some outstanding saves.
He recently kept United in the game against Fulham with three crucial saves before the late drama.
In our opinion, the club should not think twice about extending the Spaniard’s stay. They should sign him on a lower wage package while trying to find a suitable long-term successor.
Elsewhere, Rashford has been outstanding with 27 goals and nine assists in 44 outings. He has been performing at a world-class level, particularly after the World Cup break.
With clubs such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain keeping tabs, United may have to hand him a bumper deal in the region of £400,000-a-week to make him their highest earner.
As things stand, the duo have yet to sort out fresh terms with United. We won’t be surprised if they are waiting for a takeover such that they can receive the best contract proposals.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com and Capology.com
