Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already given his thoughts on Kobbie Mainoo as he is linked with a potential move away from the club.
Mainoo has reportedly decided to reject a new contract offer from Manchester United as he eyes a move abroad.
The 19-year-old, who has two years left on his current deal, has emerged as one of the Premier League's brightest prospects, having broken into the first-team last season.
Mainoo, who has 10 England caps, has made 60 appearances for United, scoring eight goals, while he's been in protracted negotiations over a new deal, but no agreement has been found.
Reports claim that he's not considering a move to another Premier League club, with Chelsea among the clubs previously linked, meaning a switch to a European giant could be on the cards.
Well, when speaking to TikTok star Jamal Niaz last year, the Scot gave his thoughts on Mainoo and his fellow youngster Alejandro Garnacho. “It’s the foundation, isn’t it?” Ferguson said.
“It’s the heart and soul of what Manchester United has been since the days of Sir Matt Busby, who started the whole process of trusting young players playing.
“They’ve [Mainoo and Garnacho] come through the system, they’ve come through the idea of, ‘Right, OK, we’ve got a good one here, let’s get him in the team, let’s trust him.’ And I think trusting them is a big point because they don’t let you down, they really don’t.
“I think Mainoo is an outstanding prospect, I really do, and Garnacho has got tremendous ability. And I think the great thing about both of them, apart from their skill and their imagination, is their courage, they’ve got courage to play.”
On March 4, the Mail issued an update on the situation and explained that while “fresh talks” were ongoing between Mainoo and the club, his “representatives want a pay rise to £180,000-a-week plus bonuses which would bring him in line with his teammates”.
It's added that United, constrained by Financial Fair Play regulations, may struggle to match the terms of some of their top earners, no longer viewing Mainoo as 'untouchable' as a result.
Mainoo is currently sidelined through injury, having not featured since early February.
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