The Red Devils are aiming to keep hold of some of their key assets.

Manchester United has reportedly opened negotiations to extend the contracts of Spanish pair Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. The English club risks losing the duo who are currently in the final year of their respective contracts and could move to other clubs as free agents at the end of the season.

Juan Mata joined Manchester United from Chelsea in a deal worth £37.1million in January 2014 while Ander Herrera was signed for £29m from Athletic Bilbao by Louis Van Gaal in 2015. Following their respecctive arrivals, the pair has been integral members of the Old Trafford outfit, collectively aiding in the team's cup successes in recent years.

However, latter days have seen both Mata and Herrera enjoy consistent spells on the Manchester United bench. The latter only got his second successive start this season in matches against Juventus and Manchester City while Mata was used sparingly in both fixtures although he managed to get on the scoresheet in Turin.

Amid the struggles of the two players, English publication MEN reportedly claims that Jose Mourinho's side aims to hand them deals that will see them stay beyond 2019. Back in September, the Portuguese manager indicated that he will be pleased to see both players continue their career with the Red Devils.

"I hope they will stay," Mourinho said.

"We had a similar conversation last season about Marouane and I was always saying I hope he stays, I believe he stays.

"I say the same. I hope they stay. Of course, I am happy with the players. Juan and Ander, even if they are not playing or not playing a lot, not starting matches, by the personality point-of-view and character point-of-view, by what they represent in the modern society in football, they are almost unique pieces that I also don't want to lose."