As Manchester United fans are likely aware by now, the club’s contract negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo have hit something of a roadblock.
Reports have suggested the fan-favourite teenager is keen to see his influential role replicated in his wages. Currently, he pockets a reported £20,000 per week but would like to have this increased to around £200,000 a week in order to commit his long-term future to his boyhood club. If you want to test your chances for a substantial payday, check out these online slots.
Realistically, there’s no need for United to panic yet. Mainoo is tied to Old Trafford until 2027, after which the club have the option of extending his stay by a further 12 months.
On the other hand, the prospect of losing such a talent – potentially world-class – for nothing a few years down the line is completely out of the picture for the Red Devils. The 19-year-old has already accumulated 60 senior appearances since making his debut in 2022/2023, though his real breakthrough came in the subsequent 2023/2024 term.
Mainoo has notched six goals and two assists in that time, including the winning goal during last term’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City. He and Alejandro Garnacho were on the scoresheet for United, with Jeremy Doku’s 87th-minute contribution to halve the deficit proving too late to sway the tie.
What also makes the midfielder such a valuable asset is that he is now an established England international, too, boasting 10 caps for his nation – six of which came at Euro 2024.
The state of play with Mainoo and United
Since Ruben Amorim took the reins last November, Mainoo has featured only 16 times due to a muscle injury. He notched a goal and an assist in the one game he started in a more advanced, attacking role, exciting supporters over the idea of him occupying the position on more occasions.
Should he eventually opt against a new deal in M16, it’s thought he would prefer to ply his trade abroad. However, Chelsea are concrete admirers of the Carrington graduate. They could offer him his desired salary along with the opportunity to remain in the Premier League and continue impressing in Europe’s most competitive league.
The key decision-makers at INEOS would presumably look to offload Mainoo, whose sale would generate pure profit for United, sooner rather than later to ensure his value is at the highest it can be and there’s no chance of him leaving as a free agent.
