Manchester United youngster contract situation clarified amid departure fear

Manchester United youngster Sam Mather's contract expires in the summer of 2025, not at the end of the current season amid fears he could be lost on a free transfer.

United don't formally communicate the length of contracts when youngsters sign their first professional deals and an online database has his deal as expiring this summer.

However, the Manchester Evening News understands Mather has another year remaining on his United contract - it expires in June 2025 - and a decision will be made on his next steps once the season has ended. Mather recently spent time with Rochdale on a flexi-loan.

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United created a flexi-loan system last season, which allows youngsters to gain senior experience whilst remaining involved in the day-to-day environment at Carrington.

After signing for Rochdale in January, Mather made 10 appearances and scored two goals, helping the Greater Manchester club to finish the campaign strongly.

The winger, who was increasingly present in United first-team training before signing for Rochdale on a flexi-loan, also scored for the Under-21s against Southampton on Monday.

Mather started every game in the successful 2021/22 FA Youth Cup campaign and contributed three goals and two assists on the way to winning that trophy.

From that crop of players, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are now established first-team players, while Dan Gore and Charlie McNeill have been given senior debuts.

Shortly after the Youth Cup triumph, Mather was sidelined with a long-term injury, but he's returned to full fitness this season and has been in great form in academy fixtures.