Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has performed a dramatic U-turn on his future, now expressing a desire to stay at Old Trafford.
Reports had spread suggesting he was set to reject a new contract and seek a move abroad.
The 19-year-old England international, who has been a standout performer since breaking into the first team, appears to have reconsidered his stance following frustration over leaks about his contract negotiations.
Mainoo, a product of United’s youth academy, has made 60 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring six goals and providing two assists since his debut in 2023.
This season alone, he has notched one goal and one assist in 25 outings, though his role under manager Rúben Amorim has shifted, often seeing him deployed in a more advanced No.10 position rather than his usual central midfield berth.
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that Mainoo was poised to turn down a new deal and explore opportunities overseas, with United open to a £70m sale to bolster their finances.
However, a fresh report from TBR Football has turned the narrative on its head, revealing that Mainoo’s camp is now insisting he wants to commit his long-term future to United.
Sources indicate that talks over a new contract are progressing positively, with both the player’s representatives and club chiefs confident of reaching an agreement.
The shift comes after Mainoo and his team grew “annoyed by leaks” about potential salary figures, which had speculated wages ranging from £130,000 to £200,000 per week—numbers that reportedly misrepresented the ongoing discussions.
United’s determination to retain Mainoo aligns with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent public stance. Speaking to BBC Sport earlier this month, Ratcliffe dismissed suggestions of selling academy stars like Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho for financial reasons, saying, “No, no.
"We won’t be selling players because of the state we are in financially. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance.”
This commitment has seemingly reassured Mainoo, who earns a modest £20,000 per week on his current deal, set to expire in 2027 with a club option to extend to 2028.
Amorim, too, has played a key role in Mainoo’s change of heart, having previously lauded the youngster’s potential. “He’s really, really good near the box with his small connections,” Amorim said in January, acknowledging Mainoo’s struggles defensively as a traditional midfielder but praising his growth in a more attacking role.
“We need time to work with our players to understand their best position.” The Portuguese manager’s faith in Mainoo, coupled with United’s refusal to entertain earlier interest from Chelsea and abroad, has paved the way for this resolution.
The U-turn is a major boost for United, who sit 13th in the Premier League and face a critical summer rebuild. Losing a homegrown talent like Mainoo—valued at £70m for his pure profit potential under Profitability and Sustainability Rules—would have been a bitter blow to fans and Amorim’s project.
Instead, the club now looks set to lock down one of their brightest prospects, with negotiations expected to conclude soon, potentially making Mainoo one of United’s higher earners if his development continues apace.
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