Manchester United need to avoid making contract mistake that could backfire on Erik ten Hag

Manchester United's future success depends on their squad evolution.

Erik ten Hag splashed the cash on Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojliund while adding loan players Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon during the summer transfer window. This United vintage is now very much cut in the manager's image.

But questions still remain in several positions and United's Achilles heel in the transfer market in recent years has been shifting those no longer needed. The Reds have a bloated squad, packed with players they would like to offload but can't. Too many are on lucrative contracts while not being part of the first-team squad.

ALSO READ: United might have to sell six players to give ten Hag the squad he wants

ALSO READ: United planning to extend three players' contracts

Ten Hag could easily see six or seven depart without losing the core of his squad or the essence of what he wants to build. The Dutchman has a desire to work with fewer numbers and would rather a squad of 20 all fighting and fit to compete for a shirt rather than the current situation of what the manager perceives as the haves and the have-nots.

Ten Hag doesn't want a scenario where big names and big egos are regularly left out. He doesn't want a dressing room becoming dissatisfied but rather a smaller pool united, more easily able to sing from the same hymn sheet and collate messages in training.

It makes the news that the Reds are seeking to extend the contracts of three first-team players a touch baffling. That doesn't really chime with Ten Hag's desire for a smaller, more competitive squad. United are set to exercise their one-year options on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri.

And while cases could be made for all three