Manchester United transfer news: Chris Smalling and Phil Jones face uncertain future with contract renewal talks on hold

United defenders will both see their contracts run out next season and have interested clubs across the Premier League

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling of Manchester United (Getty Images)

Manchester United defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones could be on the move sooner than you think after reports emerged that the club are yet to open contract negotiations despite their deals set to run out at the end of next season.

The pair are enjoying a strong run of form which has coincided with United’s much-needed improvement in performances of late, having seen off top four rivals Tottenham and Liverpool in recent weeks.

But despite currently featuring in the England squad – Jones started Friday night’s 4-0 win over Lithuania while Smalling was on the bench – the Daily Mail reports that the club have not opened negotiations over prospective new deals.

A failure to extends their contracts would mean that both Jones and Smalling would be free to negotiate a move to another club next May, while they could even agree a transfer abroad as early as January.

However, it is also claimed that the club remain confident that they will tie down both defenders to new contracts in the near future.

Having signed 23-year-old Jones in 2011 from Blackburn Rovers in a £17m deal that raised more than a few eyebrows, United would be hugely reluctant to lose him for nothing, while 25-year-old Smalling would also generate a fair profit on the £10m Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned to be paid to Fulham in 2010 with Arsenal already being linked with a summer move.

Phil Jones started for England on Friday night (Getty Images)

United manager Louis van Gaal is said to be a big fan of Smalling having seen him adapt to his favoured tactics and style of play, and it was his decision to block an approach from the Gunners last summer that kept Smalling at the club even if it meant missing out on the transfer of Thomas Vermaelen, who eventually joined Barcelona for £15m.