Manchester United have a raft of first team stars whose contracts are coming to an end over the next 12 months.
With INEOS looking to reset and rebuild the culture at Old Trafford, deciding which players to keep or move on could help shape the early stages of their reign at the club.
As reported by The Athletic, only Jonny Evans is out of contract this summer and the hierarchy are still yet to make a decision on whether to afford the experienced centre-half another year in Manchester.
Evans certainly proved his worth last season; the 36-year-old more than held his own when fit and chalked up more minutes than could ever have been expected upon his return.
However, with more miles on the clock and the relentless pace of the Premier League, Evans might be better served calling it a day at the top level.
Five United players are entering their final 12 months without an option to extend next summer and Ineos will need to make a decision whether to cash in for a fee this summer, see out the next year, or extend their respective deals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the one who holds the highest market value and the right-back has been linked with a move away from United, with Turkish giants Galatasaray keen.
The 26-year-old possesses a unique skill set and has performed very well on some big occasions for the club but with Diogo Dalot making the right-back berth his own, Wan-Bissaka’s opportunities may be limited next year and a fresh start might look appealing for the Englishman.
Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are two experienced squad members that Ineos will need to make a decision about quickly.
Both players have back-up roles to the first team and may be kept around for next season, should they be happy with limited minutes.
Despite manager Erik ten Hag not feeling that either have the required quality to make the difference in United’s starting XI, it’s unlikely the club will be able to replace them with a better profile of player for the money they would fetch in the market.
Eriksen looks the most likely of the two to move on, if any, with rumours suggesting he is unsettled due to the lack of playing time. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the pair see out their current deals and leave on a free next summer.
Youngsters Willy Kambwala and Hannibal make up the five entering their last year with no option for an auto extension.
Centre-back Kambwala will be expecting the opportunity to build on his fleeting appearances last year in which he showed flashes of ability that should see him secure a new deal.
Hannibal, however, is likely to be looking for pastures new this summer. The Tunisian has failed to impress Erik ten Hag enough to nail down a place in the first team and if United can get any money for the midfielder this summer, they should take it.
Harry Maguire, McTominay and Amad are the notable trio who have twelve months to run with an option to extend and all three are fighting for their futures at the club.
Despite being tipped for an enhanced role in the first-team next season, Amad will need to impress to secure a new deal beyond the potential two years having struggled to nail down a consistent stay in side, even after some moments of magic.
Maguire and McTominay looked set for the exit door last summer but were granted a stay of execution after a deal to West Ham for the duo fell through.
McTominay divides opinion but is a handy option for Ten Hag if United are in need of chaos in latter stages of games.
However, the Scot doesn’t possess the necessary quality or tactical nous to impact the starting XI on a regular basis and if United do receive a decent fee for the midfielder, they will be tempted to move him on.
Maguire’s time at the club could be described as turbulent at best but he did enjoy something of a return to form last season.
If the former captain is happy to play back-up until the end of his deal there is a part for him to play, but as with McTominay, should a bid come in, the club might be better served cutting ties with the England man.
How INEOS approach the respective situations will give fans some indication on how ruthless they might be during their tenure and the new minority owners will be hoping to make the right moves over the next twelve months and beyond.
