Manchester United will reportedly finalise their contract agreement with Kobbie Mainoo before the end of the campaign.
The 20-year-old is one of the most popular stars among the fanbase, who kept supporting him during the dark period he endured under Ruben Amorim.
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The Portuguese manager had identified Mainoo as a mere backup for club captain Bruno Fernandes in the No.8 role, which effectively wrecked his chances of earning prominent game time. The youngster didn’t make a single Premier League start under the former Man Utd manager this season.
Luckily for Mainoo, Amorim’s departure breathed new life into his MUFC career. Michael Carrick immediately brought Fernandes back to his original No.10 role, paving the way for the youngster’s return to the double pivot alongside Casemiro.
This simple tactical tweak not only restored Mainoo’s importance to the team but also benefited the whole club. United currently sit third in the Premier League table, and barring a late-season collapse, they will secure their place in the Champions League next season.
Therefore, INEOS are keen to lock down Mainoo with a new and improved contract.
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According to The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the two parties have made important strides in the last round of negotiations, which ensued last week.
The source doesn’t expect an imminent announcement, but insists that the contract will be signed before the end of the season.
Mainoo’s new deal will be valid until June 2031, and will earn him a weekly salary of £150,000, an immense upgrade on his current £20,000.
Mainoo, who was highly praised by Carrick for his ‘composed’ performance against Chelsea on Saturday, is considered one of the most valuable assets at Man Utd, so the management’s desire to armour him with a long-term contract is hardly surprising. One might argue that INEOS are already late in this regard.
The 20-year-old is also a youth product of Carrington, so his presence will preserve the club’s ancient tradition of relying on its academy graduates.
It should also be noted that Mainoo is the only out-and-out central midfielder who is guaranteed to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, as Casemiro’s departure has already been announced, and Manuel Ugarte would be sold for the right offer due to his unsatisfying performances.
Therefore, securing the young Englishman’s services through a new contract is absolutely crucial ahead of a frenetic summer transfer campaign.