As the year 2024 comes to an end and 2025 approaches, the winter transfer window for the Premier League is about to open. According to British media reports, six players from the English Premier League giants Manchester United will have their contracts expire at the end of the season, and they will be able to freely negotiate with overseas non-English clubs for a free transfer starting from January 1st. For Manchester United and their new coach Ruben Amorim, they will face challenges and need to make some significant decisions about their future. Among these six players, four are expected to stay, while two are likely to leave.
Amad Diallo is the first on the list, the 22-year-old player has become a key player under the guidance of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorin, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 10 games. It is understood that Manchester United has an option to extend Diallo's contract by another year, but they definitely hope to reach a new long-term contract with this winger. Multiple sources report that discussions are underway, and both Amorim and Diallo have made their positions clear. "I think he wants to stay, and we also want him to stay, so it's clear, we will find a solution," Amorim said earlier this month.
Diallo also admitted last month: "I am very happy to be here. I am very happy to play for this club, yes, I want to stay here for a long time and create history with this club."
Harry Maguire is another player whose contract expires at the end of the season, and he has been linked with a transfer to Napoli in Serie A. However, Manchester United has an option to extend Maguire's contract by another year, and the defender expressed his "positivity" about staying at Old Trafford. "All signs are positive at the moment, and the conversations I'm having are also very positive," Maguire said after the 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City. "I still have a year left, and they have an option."
The 36-year-old Evans and 38-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton are both serving their second stint at Manchester United, having come through the club's youth academy, and may be kept so that Manchester United can take advantage of their rich experience.
Similarly, as a defender, Victor Lindelof's contract is down to six months, and it is not yet clear whether they will be offered a renewal contract. Reports suggest that if Lindelof does not leave Old Trafford next month, he will eventually be released for free.
Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen seems set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of his contract, as he admitted earlier this season that he had not negotiated a new contract. While representing the Danish national team in international matches, he told the media Bold: "No, we haven't discussed staying yet. I still have a year left, then we can have another conversation when you're in a different place next year. I didn't think about leaving in the summer. I haven't heard anything about the club wanting to sell me or that I have to leave."
In summary, among the six Manchester United players whose contracts are about to expire, Diallo can be said to be the player who is completely confirmed to stay. Maguire, who has performed well, also has the hope to stay. As for the two veterans Evans and Heaton who came out of the Red Devils' youth training, they are expected to get pension contracts at Manchester United. In the case of the two Nordic veterans Lindelof and Eriksen, who are increasingly lacking in competitiveness due to their age, it will be difficult for them to obtain renewal contracts from Manchester United, and they will leave at the latest by next summer. For Manchester United, which is currently rebuilding under certain financial rules, only when the old go, can the new come in, which may be a good thing.