Kobbie Mainoo has had a challenging year, transitioning from a standout player to often sitting on the sidelines under Ruben Amorim.
The 20-year-old burst onto the Manchester United scene under Erik ten Hag, securing an FA Cup victory and earning a nomination for the Golden Boy award.
He also caught the attention of Gareth Southgate, earning a place in the England squad for the 2024 Euros, and becoming an important part of the starting line-ups, similar to his role at United.
However, with Ruben Amorim’s arrival at United, Mainoo found himself sidelined, making only brief appearances from the bench.
This reduction in playtime affected Mainoo’s spot on the England team and his prospects for a new contract, leading him to seek a loan for more playing time.
Ultimately, United’s leadership turned down his request, indicating their belief in his potential.
Now, under Michael Carrick, Mainoo is beginning to regain momentum, and Manchester United wants to reflect this in his future.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United plans to initiate contract negotiations with the young midfielder.
The goal is to start discussions, aiming for completion by the season’s end.
Mainoo has met all performance-related bonuses in his current deal, but his camp feels these do not truly capture his worth to the team.
His recent performances against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham have renewed United’s commitment to securing their homegrown talent.
Currently, United hopes to finalize a deal that has been pending for over a year, with talks beginning before Amorim took charge in November 2024.