Manchester United are yet to lock Kobbie Mainoo down to a new contract despite more than 12 months of negotiations.
The 20-year-old has long been in contract talks with the club, yet no agreement has been reached.
Kobbie Mainoo is among the best talents at Manchester United, with immense potential within football.
Despite his clear ability, potential, and importance to what the club means, Mainoo’s last contract at United was signed in 2023, which was prior to his first-team breakthrough.
Since then, the midfielder has had several big moments, with the highlight being when Mainoo scored the FA Cup final-winning goal, making him an instant hero, with his ceiling considered world-class.
Mainoo is considered a ‘generational talent’, and at Old Trafford, he is very highly regarded. This is not only by coaches, but Casemiro has tipped Mainoo to dominate for the foreseeable future.
After struggles during the 2024/25 campaign, Mainoo has been tipped to improve under Ruben Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo left frustrated by Manchester United contract talks
While still developing and finding his place in the first-team squad under Amorim, there is no denying that Mainoo should sign a new contract.
Now, United in Focus chief football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has provided an update on the situation around Mainoo’s new contract.
United in Focus understands that talks have taken place over a new contract with Jason Wilcox this summer – but we are told of a sense of frustration within Mainoo’s camp that a deal has not progressed.
A deal was close last summer, but it was not finalised, and United shelved the talks as they were having to deal with the appointment of a new head coach at that point.
Further talks took place earlier this year following the January window when Chelsea were strongly linked with an approach, but despite broad agreement over most of the terms, they failed to reach a final agreement.
Into this summer, United have now once again had talks, with Mainoo currently having two years left on his deal, and his current wages are some way off where you would expect an England international to be.
Chelsea have maintained a watching brief over Mainoo’s situation, whilst we understand Tottenham are also taking an active interest. There is also interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Head coach Ruben Amorim is a fan of Mainoo, but some within the club question whether he is a good fit for the Amorim system, and the club are in the market for another central midfielder this summer.
“It has been made clear to me on more than one occasion that Kobbie Mainoo does not want to leave Manchester United, but despite a new deal being close on more than one occasion, he remains on the deal that he signed in 2023 prior to him becoming a first-team regular.
“United are open to a new deal and have again held talks, but it is clear they have also been willing to listen to prospective offers.
“Mainoo’s camp are frustrated that a new deal has not been agreed to this point – a deal was close after his FA Cup final man of the match display and then starring for England at the Euros, but it still hasn’t been done.
“Mainoo wants to be part of United’s future, and he wants to commit to them.”
Kobbie Mainoo will have to play himself into deserving a Manchester United contract
While everybody wants to see Mainoo extend his contract at the club, the club clearly doesn’t view him as the £150,000-a-week player that he is expected to be wanting to become.
The frustration is understandable from the players’ side; however, the past 12 months haven’t exactly seen him kick on and become a bona fide starter, which means the clubs will remain at an impasse.
Paul Scholes said Mainoo was better than him, and now, starting this coming season, he needs to prove it.
Early signs have shown that there has been real improvement, with Mainoo impressing during the pre-season clash with Leeds, with excellent passing showcasing his ability.
We can’t imagine the club selling, so hopefully it is all wrapped up fairly soon, but it may end up that Mainoo’s performances have to force the club into action.
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