Since 1995, the Bosman ruling has revolutionised football transfers, giving players the opportunity to break free of clubs at the end of their contracts, and the pre-contract agreement which has since been brought into the game means that from January 1 players with expiring deals can sign with potential new employers six months ahead of a move.
This January, Manchester United find themselves in the kind of position many clubs have been left in since Jean-Marc Bosman successfully petitioned the courts, with as many as 11 of their players holding contracts which are due to expire at the end of the current season.
The one thing they do have going for them is that eight of the 11 involved have club-option extension clauses written into their deals, which allows the Old Trafford hierarchy the freedom to add 12 months to their contracts if they are unwilling to let them go.
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