Raphael Varane is out of contract at the end of the season (Photo: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United are in contract talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial.
At the turn of the year, a number of United stars’ deals were set to expire at the end of the season.
The Red Devils have acted swiftly to trigger one-year extensions for three of these players, namely Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri.
However, this still leaves the futures of Varane, Martial, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton and the on loan Sofyan Amrabat up in the air.
Reports had suggested that while United were keen on retaining World Cup winning centre-back Varane, they would not trigger the extension clause in his contract.
This is perhaps so they can negotiate a reduction in wages, with the 30-year-old said to be the club’s highest earner on around £340,000-a-week, but this move has not gone down well with the Frenchman who feels he is being pushed out of the club.
Whatever the case, Ten Hag has now confirmed these reports, addressing the contract extensions in his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s FA Cup third-round tie at Wigan.
Many Man Utd fans were expecting (and hoping) that Anthony Martial would leave this summer (Photo: Getty)
‘We triggered the options on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal,’ the manager said on Thursday.
‘And we are talking with Raphael Varane and with Anthony Martial. I think that is an internal discussion between the club and the players.’
While most fans will be happy to see Varane stick around, the same cannot be said of Martial, whom many were expecting to finally leave Old Trafford after a disappointing nine year spell.
Jadon Sancho is set to re-join Dortmund on loan (Photo: Getty)
The French forward has scored just 12 Premier League goals over the last four seasons and came under heavy criticism earlier this campaign.
Ten Hag was also asked about Jadon Sancho’s status, with the outcast winger set to seal a return to Borussia Dortmund on loan, but, as expected, the Dutchman was coy on the matter.
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‘I can’t say anything about this subject because there is no news,’ he added.
‘We have to wait and see how things are going. When we have news, we will tell you.’
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