Man United won’t trigger Varane contract extension – source

Manchester United have decided not to extend Raphaël Varane's contract for another year, a source told ESPN.

This means the defender is able to negotiate with clubs outside the Premier League from January 1 and could potentially leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer.

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Varane is still seen as a key part of the team by manager Erik ten Hag, but United are reluctant to trigger a one-year option that would keep the 30-year-old on a salary of more than £300,000 a week until 'in June 2025.

The club have not ruled out extending the former France international's stay, but negotiations around a new contract would likely focus on a performance-related deal.

Varane's current contract will expire in June 2024. The approach is similar to that taken with former goalkeeper David De Gea last season.

United decided not to trigger a one-year option in the goalkeeper's contract and he left the club on a free transfer last summer.

Varane and De Gea were among United's highest-paid players last season, alongside Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.

Marcus Rashford joined them when he signed a new long-term contract in July worth around £315,000 per week. United are set to trigger one-year extensions for Victor Lindelöf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to keep the pair at Old Trafford until 2025. Their contracts were due to expire next summer.

Anthony Martial also has a contract until the summer, but United have decided not to activate the extension option until 2025. The 28-year-old has scored two goals in 19 matches this season but has been absent these last three weeks.

Asked before the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag said the Frenchman was ill.

“He’s not well, he’s not available,” Ten Hag said.

United are back in action against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in the FA Cup third round on January 8.