Man Utd contract talks have ‘gone quiet’ as long-serving player’s future remains ‘unclear’

Contract talks between Manchester United and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have ‘gone quiet’, according to a recent report.

The right-back has missed the last nine matches in all competitions due to a hamstring injury, but returned to training last week and is believed to be closing in on a return to first-team action. That’s unlikely to come against Newcastle United on Wednesday night, but it’s not impossible Wan-Bissaka features in Saturday’s Premier League trip to Fulham.

Prior to the injury, the ex-Crystal Palace man had featured in United’s first five Premier League matches of the season, starting four. Wan-Bissaka had established himself as first-choice right-back in the team, ahead of Diogo Dalot, despite a difficult start to life under Erik ten Hag.

Wan-Bissaka played just four minutes last season prior to the World Cup break, but ended the campaign as a crucial player for United, featuring in the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals, as well as every knockout game in the club’s Europa League run.

His rejuvenated United career led to a report from the Telegraph in early September that claimed the 25-year-old was in talks over extending his current deal at Old Trafford. However, the Daily Mail stated on Tuesday that United have shelved those plans for now and will instead trigger the one-year extension option in Wan-Bissaka’s contract.

The Red Devils insert that clause in all first-team players’ contracts, and it was an option they utilised with Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred last season, with all excluding the latter eventually agreeing new long-term contracts.

Wan-Bissaka’s current deal is set to expire next summer, meaning if United don’t extend his terms by an additional year, the defender would be able from 1 January to negotiate with foreign clubs over a free transfer in July 2024. The Mail added that Anthony Martial is in the same boat but it remains ‘unclear’ if United will trigger a one-year extension on his contract.

The Frenchman, who signed for United in 2015, has started just three games this season in all competitions and Ten Hag was willing to sell the striker last summer.