Manchester United have 'no plans' to keep hold of defensive pair next summer
Latest Manchester United news and rumours as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League clash
Manchester United drew 1-1 at home to FC Twente in the Europa League last night at Old Trafford. Christian Eriksen got their goal in the first-half before Sam Lammers equalised in the second-half.
Erik ten Hag’s side are back in action this weekend at home to Tottenham Hotspur. In the meantime, here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...
Defender latest
According to HITC Sport, United have ‘no plans’ to extend Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof’s contracts beyond next summer and remain interested in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. The pair’s deals expire in June 2025 and they are both due to become free agents at things stand.
Maguire, who is 31-years-old, joined the Red Devils back in 2019 and has since made 213 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with 11 goals from the back. He has also made 64 caps for the England national team to date.
Prior to his move to his current club, he had spells at Sheffield United, Hull City, Wigan Athletic and Leicester City. He has played four league games in this campaign.
As for Lindelof, he has been sidelined with injury over recent times and his long-term future is up in the air. The Sweden international joined two years before Maguire in 2017 and has made 259 outings, finding the net on four occasions.
Cutting ties with the duo would help free up space and funds to bring in other players. They are both getting older now and Ten Hag could do with more youthful alternatives to help in the long run, with Branthwaite being ideal.
Branthwaite was snapped up by the Toffees in 2020 after catching the eye at local team Carlisle United as a teenager. He was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers and PSV to get some experience and has now become a key first-team player at Goodison Park under Sean Dyche but they will face a battle to keep hold of him.
Pair updates
United are ‘likely’ to cut ties with Eriksen and Casemiro as well in the near future, as per TEAMtalk. The report claims they could even depart as early in January.
The latter remains under contract until 2026 but has endured a tough start to the new campaign. The Brazilian was on the books at Real Madrid before moving over to England.
Eriksen, on the other hand, scored against FC Twente last time out and has been getting quite a few minutes recently. Ten Hag spoke after their most recent match and said: "In this moment, with my team, we want to improve and we want to make a successful season so there is no place for sentiments like this.
“It was a special match because I have a history there [at FC Twente] but you have to turn it off, don’t think about these things, you have to not be in the emotion and you have to clinical and prepare the team you are working for and is now also in my heart. That’s what I did with all my heart and in my head."