Manchester United to hold fresh talks with contract rebels after axing boss Jose Mourinho

MANCHESTER UNITED are confident that their current crop of contract rebels will pen new deals following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

A number of high profile stars including the likes of Paul Pogba were ready to leave Old Trafford following bust-ups with their former Portuguese boss.

Forward Anthony Martial's contract expires next summer but United do have the option to automatically extend it for an extra year.

But they want the Frenchman to commit his long-term future to the club.

Martial was just one of the players whose relationship with Mourinho had hit rock bottom following his turbulent spell at the club.

Keeper David De Gea remained in the same boat after United exercised the option to extend his deal until 2020.

The Spaniard was holding off talks to extend his contract at Old Trafford but may now be encouraged to hold fresh talks.

Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones all have contracts expiring next summer and are free to talk to European clubs over a move in January.

The likes of Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly have contracts until 2020 and United want to extend their deals sooner rather than later.

A lot will also depend of who United will appoint as Mourinho's long-term successor.

Former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken temporary charge while United will continue to target Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinean is the club's No1 target and they are willing to fork out a whopping £40million to try and lure him to Old Trafford, as revealed by SunSport.

He will also be granted a huge transfer warchest to build his own squad.