Goal looks at the players whose deals are due to end, which of them could leave and who might still be at Old Trafford come 2019-20
Since 1995, the Bosman ruling has revolutionised football transfers, giving players the opportunity to break free of clubs at the end of their contracts, and the pre-contract agreement which has since been brought into the game means that from January 1 players with expiring deals can sign with potential new employers six months ahead of a move.
This January, Manchester United find themselves in the kind of position many clubs have been left in since Jean-Marc Bosman successfully petitioned the courts, with as many as 11 of their players holding contracts which are due to expire at the end of the current season.
The one thing they do have going for them is that eight of the 11 involved have club-option extension clauses written into their deals, which allows the Old Trafford hierarchy the freedom to add 12 months to their contracts if they are unwilling to let them go.
Getty ImagesMatteo Darmian
The Italian full-back barely gets a look-in at Old Trafford these days and Jose Mourinho admitted in the summer that United were ready to sell if the right offer came in.
"Matteo wants to leave and I think when a player wants to leave, if the right offer arrives you have to try to be human and let the player follow his instinct, but not at any price," the manager said.
“And, until now, the offers we got for Matteo are not even close to being accepted."
The 28-year-old could well move in January if the right bid comes in having not made an appearance since the opening day of the season at a time when Mourinho was stretched due to post-World Cup holidays.
But if a winter move doesn't materialise, United are almost certain to trigger the one-year option on his contract to ensure he doesn't leave for free in the summer. They are still likely to help Darmian find a move though in order to get some return on their 2015 investment.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDavid de Gea
Mourinho stunned the United fan base last week by claiming he was not confident that De Gea would sign a new deal with the club.
"I am not confident but I am not worried," he told in relation to the No.1 extending his contract. "I cannot find the word in English."
De Gea has played down speculation since then but notably failed to commit. "What matters is the team and all of us being focused on what we need to focus on, which is winning games, rather than contracts or any topics that can be a distraction," said the Spaniard.
With De Gea's contract due to expire in 2019, United do hold a one-year option. However, if there is no sign of a willingness on the player's part to sign a new deal then the club could be backed into a corner as this season draws to a close.
Not yet 28 and considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world, De Gea is a hugely valuable asset and the prospect of him running his contract down and leaving on a free is one United will not be keen to risk. They could even consider a sale in the summer to get a fee if they are convinced the former Atletico Madrid man has his heart set on leaving.
Getty ImagesAnder Herrera
The Spanish midfielder has seen his game-time reduced by a great degree over the last 18 months to the point where his only Premier League start so far this season came as an emergency centre-back in the 3-0 loss to Tottenham.
Having already seen the club pick up his one-year option last season, Herrera's commitment to the club could well end this summer although Jose Mourinho is keen for him and Juan Mata to stay at Old Trafford.
"Juan and Ander, even if they are not playing a lot and not starting matches, by the personality point of view and character point of view, by what they represent in the modern society and in football, they are almost unique pieces that I also don't want to lose," said the manager when asked whether he wants to keep the Spanish pair.
His character has won him countless fans since he arrived at United in 2014, but the 29-year-old may consider making a move to gain increased game time elsewhere if he believes his next contract to be his last during his peak playing years.
Getty ImagesPhil Jones
Like most United contracts, Phil Jones' deal includes a club option to tie him down to Old Trafford until the summer of 2020 and the Red Devils are highly likely to activate the extra year if only to command a fee for the centre-back next summer.
With competition for places at the heart of defence being fierce and Jose Mourinho having publicly discussed the need for more quality in his position, Jones has slipped down the pecking order and is likely to fall further down the ranks as United go forward.
As a result, the club could listen to offers in the summer once they have triggered their option, giving them the opportunity to cash in on the England defender before they are left facing the prospect of gaining no fee for him in 2020.