For a club that has practically written the 'How not to' guide in recruitment, Manchester United have not got any of their contract extensions wrong.
The one-year options were ignored on the deals of Antonio Valencia, James Wilson, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Joel Pereira, Sergio Romero, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones, while it was mutually agreed Nemanja Matic's would be left dormant.
David de Gea set a new precedent: a one-year option United declined to reduce a player's salary. United made the right decision with De Gea but went about it in the wrong way. They were so fretful of the perception they had released a club legend the player confirmed his departure before the club. United had still released him.
READ MORE: Ten Hag has now received public backing from Ratcliffe with United's decision
READ MORE: United stance on Varane and Martial futures
United have struggled to assume control of the narrative with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial, too. Like with Matic, it turned out the club had miscommunicated the expiry date of Varane's contract. With Martial, United cannot bring themselves to publicly spell the end for a player who has had a fervent following that the club's social media team once piggybacked on.
The United website wrote "talks with French duo Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are continuing", for that is what Erik ten Hag said on Thursday. "We are talking with Rapha Varane, with Anthony Martial" is the verbatim quote.
In reality, they are barely talking with Martial about his future and whatever discussions they hold with Varane may not lead to the offer of reduced terms. A senior club source admitted Varane's future is in the balance.
Varane, a four-time Champions League winner and World Cup winner, has seen Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw start ahead of him this season and is now not deemed worthy of his salary. Varane has a dim view of United's handling of his situation.
Yet he has been brittle during his two-and-a-half years at the club. Varane has played in 79 out of a possible 139 games and this season alone he has been absent through five separate issues ranging from a lack of full fitness to illness.
Martial was injured for almost the entirety of the summer transfer window and he has been unwell for the start of the winter transfer window. The 28-year-old striker has scored 18 goals for United in the last three-and-a-half seasons, failed to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League since January 2021 and missed 34 of United's 62 matches last season. Martial is almost as unsellable as Phil Jones was in his final three years at United.
There is no market for Martial, never mind any resale value. That cannot be said of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri, whose contracts were belatedly extended by a year over the last week.
Ten Hag has eyed a right-back in each summer he has spent at United, both of them bred in the Netherlands (Sergino Dest and Jeremie Frimpong). Wan-Bissaka repaired his reputation in 2023 but United need an upgrade at right-back and Wan-Bissaka is more sellable than Diogo Dalot, who was tied down on a new contract in May.
Wan-Bissaka is 26 and has generated interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace over the last year. There would be a Premier League taker for a defender who has struggled with homesickness during his four-and-a-half years in the north-west.
Lindelof turns 30 in July and is only 16 months younger than Varane but could fetch a fee in the summer. A central defensive sale is advisable as United plan to bolster the area and Varane's value has diminished significantly over the last month.
It would be illogical of United to offer Lindelof a renewal when he has been considered a squad player for several years. United have recruited a centre half in four of the six summers since Lindelof was first given a tour of Carrington in 2017.
Hannibal Mejbri refused United's proposal of a contract extension when he joined Birmingham City on loan at the start of last season, sensing it would prove prohibitive if he sought an exit route.
Mejbri turns 21 later this month and the most recent of his three starts this season was on October 3 when he was hooked at half-time against Galatasaray. The cachet of development in the United academy, a season in the Championship, Premier League experience and international pedigree with Tunisia maintains the valuation of a talent United bought for €10million when he was 16.
When fit, all three are usually selected in matchday squads. Wan-Bissaka has started the last three games, Lindelof lined up in 14 out of 19 matches before he required groin surgery and Mejbri has youth on his side. Beyond this season, their squad roles are weaker due to the time left on their contracts.
If the INEOS Group replace John Murtough, as they intend to, his successor will be judged as much on outgoings as incomings. They daren't get it wrong.
