John Murtough makes hopeful plea to Manchester United fringe players

John Murtough has reportedly urged the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek to delay making decisions on their long-term future until after Manchester United have appointed a new manager.

German tactician Ralf Rangnick was brought in to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in an interim capacity at the end of November. The 63-year-old has not been ruled out of the permanent running, but the plan is for the former Red Bull man to take up a two-year consultancy role this summer.

ESPN report that Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are on a five-man shortlist for the top job this summer. And United are hopeful that the man they appoint can persuade the likes of Pogba an Co to stay.

Pogba is out of contract in the summer, but does have an offer from United on the table. Jesse Lingard can also walk away for free, while Martial and Van de Beek left on loan for Sevilla and Everton respectively.

But United believe that the quartet could still have futures in Manchester. And ESPN claim football director John Murtough has asked them to wait until a new manager is appointed before deciding where they want to play next season.

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Lingard will be a difficult man to keep though after the club blocked a deadline-day move. Although the player had plenty of interest and wanted to leave on loan United deemed it too big a risk.

The club are said to have placed a £12m survival clause in a prospective deal with Newcastle.

With Mason Greenwood suspended and Martial and Amad Diallo loaned out, Rangnick’s options had narrowed somewhat.

The forward wants regular first-team football. Lingard was called up to the England squad before the Euros but dropped from the tournament squad.