Yet no one actually ponied up the money. Same as the other players I mentioned. Also it's down to the player. Fred, like Lingard, may rather sit out his final year on the bench and get his choice of clubs when he leaves.
Well, who knows, but when we sign another midfielder, I doubt that Fred at his age would prefer to spend another year on the bench instead of playing week and week out for a decent side. It's a well known exercise to undervalue our own players (cause they are all so shite..), but I am pretty sure there will be plenty of teams interested in signing him next summer, and also pay a bit of money for him.
When it comes to Lingard, The Times reported United (and/or) Lingard turned down 6 offers the summer 2021, unknown whether it was because he was overpriced by united (some reports suggest we demanded 30m), or because Lingard preferred to sit out his contract to chase bigger money.
Anyhow, if Fred is offered a one year extension, and then refuse to be sold, the worst that can happen is that we lose him for free in 2024 instead of 2023, which really doesn't matter much. As a utility player, he still has a role in the squad.