Man Utd axe nine players and confirm new contract offered to star | Football | Sport
Manchester United have axed nine players as Ruben Amorim prepares for his first full campaign in the Old Trafford dugout. The likes of Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof will all be released when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
United suffered a woeful season on the pitch during the 2024/25 campaign as they finished 15th in the Premier League after losing 18 of their 38 top-flight matches. They did reach the final of the Europa League, but were defeated by Tottenham in Bilbao following a lacklustre display in the showpiece match. Amorim will be under pressure to get more out of his players when the new season commences in August. And he will freshen up his squad over the coming months, with a host of stars heading through the Old Trafford exit in the meantime.
Academy youngsters Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster have joined Eriksen, Evans and Lindelof on the list of departures.
And United explained in a statement: “The Academy is proud of all of our departing young players throughout the age groups.
“They will be supported in securing contracts at new clubs, provided with a bespoke aftercare programme, and will always have a lifelong association with Manchester United.”
Meanwhile, the 13-time Premier League champions have announced that rising star Ashton Missin has been offered a new deal, despite the fact he has never made a first-team appearance for the club.
The 18-year-old, who was born in Halifax, is naturally a left winger but can operate on either wing or through the centre.
He helped his club win the under-18s Premier League title during the 2023/24 campaign and went on to feature in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League last season.
United have also confirmed that they are in talks with 39-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton over a new contract.
Heaton progressed through the club’s academy before moving into the first team 21 years ago when Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm. He went on to enjoy a host of loan stints before joining Cardiff on a free transfer in 2010. He also played for Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa before returning to Old Trafford in 2021.
The talented shot-stopper has featured just three times for the United first team since returning to the club, with none of those appearances coming under the current manager.
But United described the star as a “highly valued part of the goalkeeping group and wider squad” as they announced their retained list on Monday afternoon.
