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Jose Mourinho wants to get new Manchester United deals for Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini secured before the January transfer window opens, The Independent has learned.
There is also an increased sense of relaxation over Ander Herrera's situation and a confidence he will soon sign a new contract.
This follows news that United are set to open contract talks with David De Gea in the next few weeks .
Manchester United vs Everton player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Manchester United vs Everton player ratings David De Gea First keeper to stop a Leighton Baines penalty and then won his side all three points with a super late save. 8/10
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Rafael A solid performance in attack and defence. 7
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Paddy McNair Did well to negate Romelu Lukaku's physical threat. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Marcos Rojo Didn't look totally at ease and had a fairly quiet game. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Luke Shaw Not a great game, gave away penalty, lost Naismith for goal and went off injured. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Daley Blind A solid game from the Dutchman in midfield. 7
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Antonio Valencia Not a great performance. Doesn't look totally comfortable in a midfield diamond. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Angel Di Maria His great start continues, with a goal and an assist. 8
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Juan Mata In for suspended Rooney but didn't really grab his chance. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Robin Van Persie Not a performance to right home about. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Radamel Falcao Broke his United duck after missing a few earlier chances. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Tim Howard An increasingly rare error-free game. 6/10
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Tony Hibbert Won his side's penalty but had an otherwise tricky time dealing with Di Maria. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings John Stones Another solid performance from the young defender. Late injury will be a concern for club and country managers. 7
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Phil Jagielka His (stunning goal last week aside) indifferent season continues. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Leighton Baines Missed his first Premier League penalty, but made amends with assist for goal. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Muhamed Besic Did what was needed without excelling particularly. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Gareth Barry Reliable rather than spectacular, missed a great chance to equalise at the end. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Aiden McGeady Didn't make much of an impact. 5
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Steven Naismith His great season continues and was a thorn in United's side. 7
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Steven Pienaar Classy backheel that led to penalty, but otherwise was fairly inconspicuous. 6
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Manchester United vs Everton player ratings Romelu Lukaku Struggled a little on his own up front, but kept going all game. 6
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As Mourinho continues to build his squad, he wants players fully focused on the football, so is intent on pre-emptively sorting all such issues before they become a problem and has thereby identified the contract situations of these players as a priority.
Fellaini has become one of the manager's favoured players because of how perfectly he carries out instructions and, with his latest deal up in the summer of 2018, the Portuguese wants to sort a new contract soon.
The Belgian has actually overtaken Herrera in the pecking order but those close to the United squad maintain there is no issue there, and that Mourinho still sees great value in the Spanish midfielder.
His deal also runs out in the summer, but there is a widespread expectation a new contract will be agreed.
Rashford only last year signed a new deal until 2020, but Mourinho also wants to keep such a key player completely happy by rewarding him with an agreement that fully reflects his growing importance in the team.
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