Move comes after the club announced the departure of midfielder Casemiro at the end of the season
Manchester United are ready to open talks with Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract. The player has 18 months left on his current deal, with the contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.
There has been a standoff for many months, with United not looking to open talks while the player’s future place in the squad was unclear, and Mainoo himself seeking to keep his options open.
Mainoo has not had too many appearances since the 2024-25 season, first struggling with injury issues and then dropping out of favour under Ruben Amorim, due to the specific demands of the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-3 system.
The English midfielder asked to leave the club on loan first in the summer and then also in January, although this is understood to be in order to get more playing time for his development and to make a case for the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, rather than with any permanent departure in mind.
The club have held initial conversations with Mainoo’s agents about what the structure of a deal might look like. It is thought that the player is open to a new contract with his place in the squad more assured with Ruben Amorim’s exit and United switching back to a four-at-the-back formation, and appearing ready to stick to that long term.
Mainoo is among the least earners in the current United squad, having signed a contract as an academy player. The new deal is expected to give him a salary boost and bring his earnings closer to the United squad average.
The timing of the talks is also significant, after United announced on Thursday that midfielder Casemiro will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
