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Manchester United are preparing to change the contract strategy at Eric ten Haag

Ralph Rangnik insists that Eric ten Haag must have the final say on any renewal of his contract with Manchester United.

United have announced that Bruno Fernandes has extended his contract by just one year on April 1, although his previous deal expired by 2026.

Fernandes, 27, was rewarded with a pay rise two productive years after signing with Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, but the Portuguese’s performance has fallen this season and his form has been particularly poor since renewing.

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Anthony Elanga signed an improved contract in the first month of Rangnik as interim manager, while Anthony Martial and Phil Jones signed new deals, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still official manager.

Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw have signed new contracts in recent months for Jose Mourinho, although Mourinho was looking for a left-back to replace Shaw in 18 months. Smalling was loaned to Roma early next season by Solskjaer.

Marcos Rojo started just 12 games for United, after committing to a three-year contract in March 2018, before joining Boca Juniors in February 2021.

Last April, Solskjaer questioned Eric Bayi’s pathetic performance a month before receiving a three-year contract with an option for an additional year. Baye was one of a handful of United players in his 20s who were offered a minimum three-year contract, reflecting his injury record.

Bayi has played for United seven times this season and has recorded more appearances for Côte d’Ivoire. The 28-year-old is available for sale and ready to leave, appearing 113 times in six seasons.

Sources at the club say that Ed Woodward encouraged the renewal of players from outside levels, as he believed that this would increase their value in resale, but United is struggling to replace the dead wood due to its long contracts and high salaries.

“I don’t know what has been or has not been the case in the past, how much influence former managers have had on recruitment,” Rangnik said of the contract decisions. “I can only tell you what I’m used to in Europe or Germany.

“And as you know, in almost all clubs there is a sports director who, together with the manager or the head coach and the scout department, is responsible for which players will come.

“For example, in my last two clubs we have never signed a player without the approval of the manager. I’m sure it will be the same here with Eric. I’m also sure that Eric will make some suggestions and then together with the board, together with the scout department and possibly with himself, then we will decide on the right players.

“I have never signed and never signed a player in Red Bull – neither in Salzburg nor in Leipzig – against the proposal or desire of the head coach.

“It is important for me now to take care of the future of the club. As I said, I strongly believe that there are many things that can get better and will get better with a new manager and I hope with some new players, with a little fresh energy in this team.

“Obviously, due to the fact that the contracts of many players are expiring, there will be a number of new players and with this group of players, new players and quality players who are already here, along with the new manager, I am very confident that the next the season will be much better. “

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