KEY POINTS

  • De Gea's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season
  • Man Utd have 26 points from 14 league games
  • They will host Burnley in a League Cup game Wednesday

Manchester United have reportedly triggered a one-year contract extension for four first-team players, but that does not include goalkeeper David de Gea.

The four players are Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred, reported The Athletic. All of them would have been free to leave Old Trafford in June.

De Gea's case is different even though his current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season. If the Red Devils triggered an extension in De Gea's contract, it would mean the goalkeeper would earn a weekly salary of $456,196, which the club had committed to when they last extended the player's contract in 2019. He is currently the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.

The option for a shorter contract on reduced terms for the 32-year-old Spaniard has been raised, reported BBC Sport.

If De Gea, who recently became the 11th player to make 500 appearances for Manchester United, does not reach an agreement with the Old Trafford side by Jan. 1, the Spanish keeper will be allowed to agree to a pre-season contract with any club in the winter window.

It was earlier reported that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were monitoring Rashford's situation at Manchester United. If the English forward is available on a free transfer in January, the Ligue 1 giants are preparing to approach him for a possible move to Paris for the next season.

Marcus Rashford scored two second-half goals as Manchester United edged past Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus
AFP

Rashford was impressive in the recently-concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals in five games, which includes a brace against Wales in the group stage. Gareth Southgate's England ended their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-final.

FC Barcelona, meanwhile, have shown interest in signing right-back Dalot, who has been at Manchester United since 2018. The Portuguese defender has made 20 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign.

Manchester United are scheduled to return to action Wednesday as they host Burnley in a League Cup fixture. Erik ten Hag and his team went into the international break in November with 26 points in 14 matches in the Premier League. They are placed fifth in the table and are still three points behind the top four.

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