Manchester United are preparing to reopen contract negotiations with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, with the aim of bringing his salary into line with other senior members of the first-team squad.
The 20-year-old is currently under contract until 2027, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by a further year. Formal talks have yet to take place, and it remains unclear how receptive Mainoo will be to a new agreement, particularly after his frustration at being denied a loan move last summer.
Mainoo did not start a single Premier League match this season under former head coach Ruben Amorim and was keen to secure temporary first-team football during the current transfer window. That lack of involvement raised questions about his short-term role at Old Trafford.
However, following Amorim’s departure, Mainoo has been reintegrated into the senior setup. Interim manager Darren Fletcher handed him a start in the FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton earlier this month, before the midfielder retained his place under Michael Carrick for the Manchester derby, where United recorded a convincing victory over City.
Mainoo signed a long-term contract in 2023, but there had been an expectation within the club that an improved deal would be agreed last summer. That belief was fuelled by his decisive goal in United’s 2024 FA Cup final win over Manchester City, followed by his inclusion in England’s starting XI for the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Despite those milestones, no agreement was reached. Mainoo’s limited role after Amorim’s appointment further complicated matters, leading those close to the player to question whether United fully recognise his value and long-term importance. As talks are set to resume, the club now face the task of rebuilding trust while underlining Mainoo’s place in their future plans.
