United are hopeful both will stay.
Manchester United are reportedly confident they will be able to keep hold of both Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera despite lengthy negotiations over new contracts for the midfield pair.
The Red Devils are keen for both players to extend their stays at Old Trafford after some impressive performances under Jose Mourinho, with Herrera one of their most improved performers last season, and Fellaini also taking his game to a new level this term.
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According to the Daily Telegraph, United have the option of triggering a 12-month extension to Herrera’s current deal and will do so if they cannot reach another form of agreement.
Meanwhile, the report also claims Fellaini has rejected an initial offer from United, with time running out before the Belgian could start negotiating a free transfer away from Old Trafford.
If the situation remains as it is, both Herrera and Fellaini can start talking to foreign clubs from January onwards, and would become free agents at the end of the season.
United would surely want to avoid this situation, with Fellaini proving a vital member of Mourinho’s squad this term, while Herrera has done a solid job as a backup option.
It might not all be doom and gloom for United, however, with the Daily Mirror claiming today that Mesut Ozil has chosen them as his next club, meaning Mourinho could in theory replace two free agents with another.
While this would help ease the financial burden of replacing the two players, it is questionable if the Arsenal playmaker is really a like-for-like replacement for either Herrera or Fellaini, or indeed if he is suitable for this squad at all.