Manchester United have a busy summer ahead of them in the transfer window but they can't forget their current squad either
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one of three players whose contracts expire at the end of next season
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one of three players whose contracts expire at the end of next season(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Manchester United's summer transfer window will revolve around incomings. The Reds are expected to return to the Champions League next season having enjoyed a brilliant revival since the return of Michael Carrick in January. As such, United know they need a bigger squad to cope with fixture demands.
Midfield will be a major area for improvements amid Casemiro's impending exit at the end of the season. Manuel Ugarte could also leave after a difficult chapter at Old Trafford, opening the door for at least two new midfielders. A left winger is also on the wishlist for the Reds as incoming plans start to take shape.
However, there are also contract renewals that must be addressed. Currently, five players are set to see their deals expire at the culmination of the 2026/27 season. Kobbie Mainoo is one of those but MEN Sport understands he is on the verge of renewing.
Altay Bayindir is another player whose deal is expiring. However, the Turkish international could leave this summer having become a distant second choice to Senne Lammens. Should this happen, the Reds have three players left to make decisions on.
First is captain Bruno Fernandes. Earlier this season the midfielder threw his future into doubt when he admitted he felt the club 'wanted him to leave' last summer when Al Hilal submitted an offer. Since then, Fernandes has been left in no doubt as to how highly his employers value him and want him to stay.
It is understood United want to commit him to a new contract and Fernandes will consider his options after this summer's World Cup. While a decision on the captain appears certain, for the other two players it is anything but.
First, there is Luke Shaw. Had his contract expired before this season, the answer would have been straightforward. The full-back had suffered with a number of long-term injury issues and managed just 19 Premier League appearances over the course of two seasons.
No matter how reliable and consistent a player is when fit, that was nowhere near enough appearances to justify a new contract. This season has confused matters though.
Shaw has featured in every Premier League match this term and has shown his versatility. During the Ruben Amorim era, Shaw played as the left centre-back in a three-man defence.
There were concerns when Michael Carrick took charge that Shaw was going to struggle with the athleticism needed to play at left-back. But, the 30-year-old has done well in his original position and has given the decision makers at Old Trafford a headache.
United will have to weigh up if this season has been the exception to the rule or if Shaw has proven his fitness. If he was to be offered a new contract, he would likely want an extra two years, by which point he would be closing in on his 34th birthday.
Realistically, United could not justify having him as their first choice left-back at that stage. So, a new deal would have to reflect that in terms of his wage.
Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez celebrate Manchester United's victory over Fulham
Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez celebrate Manchester United's victory over Fulham
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If Shaw has shown he can sustain a season fully fit, Lisandro Martinez still has work to do. The Argentine is comfortably a starting centre-back for United when fully fit but, like Shaw, he has suffered with more than his fair share of injuries.
Martinez has managed just 14 Premier League appearances this season after missing the start of this campaign recovering from a serious knee injury. He has missed a further five matches since the end of February 2026 due to a calf injury but is expected to return for the clash with Leeds on April 13.
The defender has age on his side but since joining United in the summer of 2022, the 28-year-old has missed nearly two years of action due to injuries. There's a lot of sympathy for Martinez but his injury record will come into consideration when deciding his future.
These recurring issues will be a red flag for United and could affect the salary they would offer him. The next few weeks will be key for both Shaw and Martinez as United aim to finish the campaign strong and then turn their attention to the 2027 contracts.
Both men can easily earn or lose new deals between now and May. It's up to them to prove they fit the long-term vision for the club.