Manchester United are reportedly planning to open contract talks with Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw after agreeing a long-term deal with Bruno Fernandes.
According to ESPN, Manchester United are ready to1 open negotiations over new contracts with first-team regulars Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw as they look to secure the pair’s long-term futures.
Manchester United are looking to tie down some of the players, who they believe are the key core for the future, to new long-term deals. Recently, the Red Devils struck an agreement with star playmaker Bruno Fernandes over a new five-year contract extension. And next up on the club’s list are Rashford and Shaw.
Rashford is a product of the Manchester United youth academy and broke into the first-team setup during the 2015/16 season, and has grown into a pivotal player for the 20-time English champions. However, the English international has endured a difficult campaign this time out, having struggled with fitness issues and lack of form.
It has led to Rashford falling down the pecking order under Ralf Rangnick, with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga preferred over him. The 24-year-old, as a result, has grown disgruntled due to his reduced game-time and is believed to be considering his future at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Shaw has been with Manchester United since 2015, having arrived from Southampton as a teenager in a deal worth £30 million. After struggling with fitness problems and failing to live up to his potential in the early parts of his tenure with the club, the Englishman has grown into an important player in recent seasons.
Shaw enjoyed a brilliant 2020/21 campaign but, much like Rashford, has been poor in the ongoing campaign. The 26-year-old, who shone for England during the recent international break, made some comments hinting that he is not entirely happy at Manchester United.
Despite the situation being as it is, Manchester United consider both Rashford and Shaw as core members of the team and believe they have an important role to play in the team’s rebuild under a new manager next term. And considering both the Englishmen will have just one year left on their deals in the summer, the Red Devils now want to kickstart talks over new contracts for the pair.
But with Rashford considering all his options and Shaw’s comments hinting at discontent, it remains to be seen if Manchester United can convince the duo to sign new deals in the coming months.
