Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag confirms talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial over futures

Manchester United have extended the contracts of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri, and are in talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial over their futures.

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is fine-tuning his squad in his second season at Old Trafford, and has signed off on extensions for defenders Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof, as well as midfielder Hannibal.

“We have triggered the options on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal,” Ten Hag said at a press conference on Thursday.

While Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof and Hannibal have futures at the club, it is less clear with regard to Varane and Martial.

Martial’s present deal with United expires in the summer, but the club have an option to extend that by 12 months.

Varane’s future at the club is in some doubt. When the former France international joined from Real Madrid in 2021, he announced it was on a deal until the summer of 2025.

However, according to The Athletic, "Varane could become a free agent in the summer with his contract at United set to expire a year earlier than previously publicised".

Ten Hag said: “We are talking with Rapha Varane and Anthony Martial.

“That is an internal discussion between the club and the player.”

United are on the brink of a new era, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe poised to take charge of football operations once his purchase of a 25 per cent stake is given the green light.

Ratcliffe has been seen in Manchester, and Ten Hag confirmed positive talks had taken place with the Briton’s INEOS staff.

“We had a long meeting, many hours we sit together, many issues we were on the same page,” the Dutch coach said. “Very positive from both sides, was a very constructive meeting, we look forward to working with each other.

"I think it's very short [since the deal was announced], and also, we have to let it settle down. They're just coming in, they're just introducing themselves, they have good ideas. We have to see what we can integrate, in togetherness we will work, but after one day, you can't tell that.

“They have given me a few (ideas). We have had our debates, about approach, strategies, I think we will come together.”

While there are off-field distractions for Ten Hag to deal with, his focus will shift to the third round of the FA Cup and a trip to Wigan on Monday.

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