Erik ten Hag is expecting "massive contributions" from the four players who recently saw their Manchester United contracts extended for another year.
Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred were due to become free agents next summer before the Red Devils activated clauses in their deals to keep them with the club until June 2024. Club chiefs took action in December to prevent the quartet from being free to speak to clubs outside England from the January transfer window onwards.
The decision was about more than transfer strategy, however, as Ten Hag insists the four players in question "have to be part of" his long-term vision for the club. The Dutchman is still moulding the squad he inherited when arriving from Ajax this summer to his requirements but clearly views Rashford, Shaw, Dalot and Fred as central to his plans.
