Manchester United Women have activated one-year contract extensions for five first-team players, securing their services until the end of the 2027/28 season. Dominique Janssen, Julia Zigiotti, Anna Sandberg, Mared Griffiths and Lucy Newell have all had extension options triggered in their existing contracts.
Head coach Eva Olid confirmed the decision during Friday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s Women’s Super League encounter with Aston Villa on Sunday 8 November.
The announcement comes during a positive period for United, who head into the weekend unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions.
Eva Olid confirms five Manchester United contract extensions
Olid explained that the club had decided to activate the additional year available in each player’s contract.
“We have five players that had the option of one year more, and then we decide [to] extend,” the Manchester United head coach told reporters.
The decision reflects Olid’s desire to retain players who can contribute both on the pitch and within the dressing room.
“They are players that I am looking forward to keep working with, keep developing, improving together and growing together,” she said.
Olid also emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive environment in which players feel comfortable challenging themselves and supporting their teammates.
“For me, it’s so important to keep the good people, good players in the atmosphere because we want to create a positive atmosphere,” she added.
Janssen, Zigiotti and Sandberg remain important first-team players
Three of the players receiving extensions have been regular starters throughout Manchester United’s opening eight WSL matches of the 2026/27 season. Dutch defender Dominique Janssen has started every league fixture, establishing herself as a consistent presence in United’s back line.
Swedish midfielder Julia Zigiotti has also started all eight league matches and is currently the club’s leading scorer in the competition. Her compatriot Anna Sandberg has been another important member of Olid’s squad, starting seven of United’s eight WSL fixtures.
By activating their contract options, Manchester United have secured the services of three established first-team contributors for an additional season.
Academy graduates Griffiths and Newell rewarded
The extensions also underline Manchester United’s commitment to retaining young players who have progressed through the club’s academy. Mared Griffiths has been particularly productive in the Subway Players Cup this season, scoring six goals in the competition.
No other Manchester United player has scored more goals in the tournament during the current campaign. Fellow academy graduate Lucy Newell made her senior debut against Durham at the end of September, also in the Subway Players Cup.
Both players will now have additional time to continue their development within the senior squad.
Manchester United building for the future
The five extensions provide continuity as Manchester United continue their 2026/27 campaign under Olid.
With established internationals such as Janssen, Zigiotti and Sandberg alongside emerging academy players Griffiths and Newell, United are retaining a mixture of experience and young talent.
The club’s immediate attention now turns to Sunday’s WSL trip to Aston Villa, where United will look to extend their ten-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
For the five players involved, the announcement confirms that their current contracts will run until the summer of 2028.
Source: Manchester United
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