Manchester United still haven’t agreed terms on a new contract with Kobbie Mainoo and their downward trajectory has reportedly begun to worry the young midfielder
Kobbie Mainoo is growing concerned over the direction of travel at Manchester United and knows he could command higher wages at other clubs.
Mainoo is still only being paid around £20,000 per week at United, despite having emerged as one of their most consistent performers over the past 18 months. Talk of him tripling his wages at the end of last season came to nothing and a stalemate has emerged in negotiations over fresh terms.
That is a problem for United, who know they need to keep their impressive young trio of Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo if they are to improve under Ruben Amorim. Agreeing fresh terms is impacted by the rut United are currently stuck in, with the lowly league position creating doubt.
Chelsea have got wind of Mainoo’s situation and are ready to offer the 19-year-old midfielder an escape route, should he want it. He is under contract until June 2027, with the option of a further 12 months, but things are reportedly coming to a head.
The Daily Mail reports that Mainoo knows he would be offered terms that reflect his talent at other clubs. He is also reportedly worried about United’s slide, with the club currently sitting 13th in the Premier League and staring at another season outside of the Champions League in 2025/26.
Like other Premier League sides, United are under pressure to comply with profit and sustainability rules. But unlike other clubs, they have lots of money tied up in under-performing players on gigantic contracts.
United are desperately trying to offload Marcus Rashford this month in a bid to get his £325,000-a-week wages off the books. They could also entertain offers in Casemiro (£350,000-a-week) and Antony (£200,000-a-week), but the money involved severely limits the possible destinations.
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Amorim has already been told he will not be allowed to splash cash on new players with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS hierarchy slashing costs since taking over in February last year. United spent £600m of transfers over Erik ten Hag’s two-and-a-half-year reign as manager, but his successor has been told to expect much more modest financial backing.
United are under pressure to comply with PSR rules having posted losses before tax of £312.9m over the past three seasons. Nevertheless, keeping hold of homegrown talent like Mainoo remains a top priority for the club.
Mainoo has made 52 appearances for United, contributing five goals and one assist, and has emerged as the most reliable midfielder of late. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen put in a disastrous performance in the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle and the side were much more competitive with Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park when securing a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last time out.
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