With the date reading Sunday, June 30, it’s time for every Premier League club across the country to say goodbye to at least a few of their stars as their contracts expire – and Manchester United are no different.
Erik ten Hag’s side will see seven of their players leave the club as free agents today with the 2023/24 season officialy coming to an end. A handful of those are first team stars, while others are academy players who never truly broke through into the first team and got their chance to shine and will instead seek new opportunities away from Old Trafford.
As announced back in May, forward Anthony Martial is leaving the club after nine years. The French international netted 90 goals across his 317 appearances for the club, helping them to lift the the Europa League, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during his stint in Manchester.
Confirming his departure on his social media, Martial wrote a heartfelt letter to United supporters, saying: “Dear Manchester United fans. It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye. After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career.
“Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world! You have been an unwavering support, through the good times and the difficult. Your passion and loyalty have been a constant source of motivation for me. I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me. Your songs, your encouragement and your love for the club are memories that will remain engraved in my heart forever.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to all my team-mates, technical staff and all the members of the club I have met during my 9 years here. I am proud to have been able to share these experiences with you. Manchester United will always be in my heart. This club has left its mark on my career and offered me an incredible opportunity to play in front of you. I’m leaving to take on new challenges, I’ll always be a Red Devil and I’ll continue to follow the club’s results with passion.
“Thank you again for everything, and see you soon. With all my affection, Anthony Martial.”
Raphael Varane is another departure that confirmed his future last month following three seasons at United. Having made 95 appearances over the last three years, the defender will enter free agency for the first time in his career but told beIN SPORTS last month that he’s in no rush to make a decision about his destination.
“I don’t know [where I will go],” Varane said. “I’ll take time to think. I just wanted to come back in time for the final. A return to France? Everything is possible. I’m at the end of my contract. It’s the first time that has happened in my career so I’ll take the time to really think.”
Twenty-three-year-old academy graduate Brandon Williams will leave United following the expiry of his contract this afternoon, following the full-back’s season-long loan spell at Ipswich Town. Having joined the club at the age of nine and going on to make 51 first-team appearances, Williams was handed an opportunity to break into the starting line-up after Ashley Young’s suspension and Luke Shaw’s injury back in 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The star followed in the footsteps of Varane and Martial in releasing a statement on his social media accounts, highlighting the love he had for the club and made the claim “ONCE A RED ALWAYS A RED”.
Jonny Evans is also set to be out of contract but United remain willing to retain the academy graduate. Having rejoined the Reds eight years after leaving last summer as a free agent, Evans played a key part in helping Ten Hag’s men lift the FA Cup trophy over rivals Manchester City in May.
Originally signed as some much-needed defensive depth and a back-up option, injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Varane throughout the season saw him drafted in 30 times, but claimed after the cup final that his future was still up in the air.
“I’m pretty relaxed about it,” he admitted. “I’ll see what the club say over the next couple of weeks but nothing at the moment in terms of discussions over a new contract, so we’ll see how it goes.”
In the same boat as Evans is goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who is said to still be in discussions with United about retainment despite his contract’s expiration this afternoon, while academy stars Shola Shoretire, Charlie McNeill, Kie Plumley and Marcus Lawrence are all being let go.
