Fresh from negotiating the return of Zlatan Ibrahimoivc, Manchester United's executive vice chairman Ed Woodward now turns his attention to renegotiating contracts with a significant number of current players, report the Manchester Evening News.
Nine of them have entered the last year of their contract and the scenario is markedly different to three seasons ago when United mulled over the futures of Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Andreas Pereira and Tom Thorpe. Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind's deals technically expire next year.
'Technically' because one of the savviest things Woodward has introduced since he became executive vice-chairman four years ago is the option of an additional year clause in contracts. It safeguards the club's investment and enhances their power in an era where the players usually force through moves.
Woodward implemented the extension option upon Herrera's arrival three years ago. Every recruit since, with the anomalous exception of Marcos Rojo, has signed a contract with the option of an additional year, which is partly why United did not panic amid interest from Barcelona in Herrera earlier this summer.
Herrera's renewal should be routine. He is, as his manager said of Nemanja Matic, a 'Jose Mourinho player' and the Basque is also believed to be focused on continuing his career with United. Herrera is indebted to Mourinho, under whom he attained his first Spain cap, established himself as a United first-teamer and won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.
Mata has started both of United's Premier League fixtures and is not expected to depart. United did not announce the length of his contract after his club record move in January 2014 but it is believed to be a minimum of four years and an extension option probably exists. United triggered that clause in Marouane Fellaini's deal in January and he was another player whose contract length was not specified initially.
Fellaini has 10 months left to run now but enjoys an excellent rapport with Mourinho and the chances of him earning an extension are auspicious, particularly since Mourinho has already said another midfielder - Michael Carrick - has begun 'probably his last season' in M16.
There is uncertainty at left-back, though. Luke Shaw, 22, Daley Blind, 27, and the 32-year-old Ashley Young could be kept on until 2019 yet United have attempted to reinforce the left flank and are due to monitor Danny Rose's situation over the next year.
Four Premier League clubs showed interest in Young during the January transfer window before Mourinho priced him out of a move and another club touched base towards the end of last season before Young's injury effectively kept him at United beyond next week's deadline.
Blind has only shone at centre half since Mourinho's appointment and the Portuguese only seems to play him there when specialist options are unavailable. Still, Blind has proven to be one of the more frugal post-Ferguson additions and is a worthy squad member, if not a first-teamer, and is not under as much pressure or scrutiny as Shaw is.
It has felt like Shaw has been tood in the last chance saloon for most of his United career and it might be closing time at the end of the current campaign. Shaw's improved professionalism began before his injury and has impressed Mourinho sufficiently enough to reprieve him, despite the United manager recently craving a new left-back.
Andreas Pereira has started two League Cup games since he ignored interest from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago to commit to United and his contractual situation is the same as most of his teammates. If it does not happen for him this season then United might have to discard him for a fee next year.
Sam Johnstone effectively denied himself a permanent move to Aston Villa on a free in the summer by signing on until 2018 last October. The Preston-born custodian turns 25 in March and has just embarked on his 10th loan, which probably indicates the need to make a clean break from United and it is understood he is keen to play first-team football.
It could get busier for Woodward after the transfer window closes.
United players out of contract in summer2018
Ashley Young *
Marouane Fellaini
Michael Carrick
Juan Mata
Sam Johnstone *
Ander Herrera *
Luke Shaw *
Daley Blind *
Andreas Pereira *
*Club has confirmed option of an additional year.