Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has new contract until the summer of 2026 with the club holding an option for a further season

Manchester United have tied up the first piece of business ahead of an important summer with Harry Maguire signing a new deal. The England international’s new contract runs until the summer of 2027, with the club boasting the option of a further year.

With so much still to be decided, it’s an important step in the right direction. United have a lot to sort out between now and the end of the season, with Champions League football likely to have a major say on transfers and potentially the new manager.

As things stand, Michael Carrick has guided the club into third place, and are among the favourites to return to Europe’s elite competition. After Maguire’s new deal, the Manchester Evening News looks at four priorities for United to address:

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Appoint a permanent manager

Manchester United are in the driving seat for Champions League football and if Carrick is able to secure that objective, it’ll be a major feather in the interim head coach’s cap. The club are yet to appoint a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim, with Carrick overseeing proceedings until the end of the season.

The former United midfielder has done an impressive job since taking over on a temporary basis and there’s plenty of clamour for the 44-year-old to be given the role permanently. The club hierarchy need to make a call on who’s going to lead the club quickly if they want to get ahead of their Premier League rivals in the transfer market this summer.

It’s likely to be a slow start to the transfer market with the world’s best players in action at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But United need a clear plan in place, with a manager’s vision in order to get the best out of the window.

Tie down Kobbie Mainoo

One player who has excelled since Carrick has taken charge of the club is Kobbie Mainoo and the United academy graduate is yet to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.

His reintegration into the first-team set-up will give the club a major boost in any potential transfer talks. The club cannot afford to let a talent like Mainoo leave the club, given he epitomises the United DNA.

His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, though the club have the option of a further year, with talks reportedly underway regarding a new five-year deal. They need to get it done.

Address Marcus Rashford situation

It’s been pretty bittersweet for some United fans watching Marcus Rashford excel while on loan with Barcelona, with the La Liga club agreeing an option to sign the England international.

There are plenty of conflicting reports regarding his future at both the Nou Camp and Old Trafford. There are some suggestions that Rashford will be allowed to leave United regardless this summer, but want a permanent sale, whereas Barcelona are looking for another loan.

United are well within their right to try and maximise the transfer fee obtained from Rashford this summer, and his fine performances in Spain certainly help that cause.

Sign Casemiro’s replacement

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro announced he’ll be leaving Manchester United this summer and the club know they need to sign a replacement. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleba are just some of the names linked with a move to Old Trafford, with all four set to demand huge transfer fees.

Simply put, United cannot afford to sign any duds, as they have in the past. The return to the Champions League offers the club a real opportunity to kick on and rebuild, but know they have to comply with the new SCR rules.

Tonali, Anderson and Wharton would all be brilliant additions, but United’s transfer chiefs know they need to get the best value for money.