Six Manchester United players face uncertain futures as Pochettino prepares first contract calls

Mauricio Pochettino faces an immediate set of contract decisions at Manchester United, with six first-team players — Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass and Tom Heaton — currently set to leave when their deals expire at the end of the season.

The most pressing case is Fernandes, United’s captain and arguably their most important player. Two contract offers have already been rejected, and while the club holds a 12-month extension option and remains relaxed about the state of negotiations, there is a genuine risk the 32-year-old could seek a move in the summer — particularly with United sitting in the Premier League relegation zone and facing a serious battle to qualify for Champions League football.

Shaw is the only one of the four senior players without an extension clause in his deal, meaning United would need to offer him entirely fresh terms to keep him. The left-back is the club’s longest-serving player, having joined from Southampton for £30 million in June 2014 — a fee that made him one of the most expensive teenagers in the world at the time. He has missed 10 games through injury this season but could return in time for Pochettino’s first match in charge against Liverpool. Pochettino worked closely with Shaw at Southampton, and that prior relationship may prove significant in any contract discussions.

United hold 12-month extension options on both Martinez and Maguire, giving the club more breathing room at centre-back. Martinez drew attention in September when he publicly criticised the board following a defeat to Atletico Madrid, a comment some interpreted as a signal he wanted out, though no departure has materialised. Maguire, meanwhile, signed a one-year deal with an extension option as recently as April.

Amass, a young defender, is also out of contract but United retain an extension option on his deal. He was blocked from going out on loan in the summer and is expected to push for a temporary move in January in search of regular first-team football. Veteran goalkeeper Heaton rounds out the list; his situation will be assessed at the end of the campaign.

Pochettino’s ability to stabilise the squad’s contract situation will be one of several immediate tests as he begins his tenure at Old Trafford.