Ratcliffe's cost cutting may see Kobbie Mainoo pushed out of the door at Man Utd

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting strategy aimed at reducing the Manchester United's excessive wage bill could push Kobbie Mainoo out of the club.

Since taking a minority stake in the club just over a year ago, Ratcliffe has been vocal about the dire financial situation at Old Trafford, warning in recent interviews that the club faced bankruptcy by the end of the year without drastic measures.

While his efforts have included staff redundancies and reductions in operational expenses, the primary focus is now on tackling the players’ salaries, which have ballooned over years of poor performance and mismanagement.

Ratcliffe’s new approach to contracts involves significantly lowering base salaries for both incoming players and those renegotiating their deals, with a shift towards performance-based incentives. According to a club insider, “The strategy is shifting to contracts that reward performance. We’ve communicated this to agents, and while we aim to remain competitive, we must control our wage expenditure and ensure we’re getting value for our investments.”

This policy has already impacted negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo, the 19-year-old academy graduate who has become a key figure in the first team. Mainoo, currently earning a modest £20,000 per week, is seeking a substantial pay rise to reflect his growing importance, with reports suggesting he is aiming for a salary of around £150,000 per week.

However, Ratcliffe’s refusal to meet these demands, as part of his mission to transform the club’s culture, has led to a stalemate in talks, raising the possibility that Mainoo could leave Manchester United.

The young midfielder’s potential departure is a concern, especially given his rapid rise to prominence. Mainoo has made 47 appearances for the club, including a standout performance in last season’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, and has earned 10 caps for England.

Despite interest from other clubs, a report last week indicated that Mainoo is considering rejecting United’s latest contract offer and exploring opportunities abroad, unwilling to move to another Premier League side.

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has expressed dismay at the prospect of losing Mainoo, highlighting him as one of only two players the club should retain.

Speaking recently, Rooney stated, “There’s a lack of responsibility in the squad, and major changes are needed. I’d keep just Bruno [Fernandes] and Mainoo. The culture at the club makes it too easy to accept defeat, and players need to show more fight on the pitch.”

The situation underscores the broader challenges facing Manchester United under Ratcliffe’s leadership. While his cost-cutting measures are aimed at ensuring long-term financial stability, they risk alienating key talents like Mainoo, whose sale could fetch around £70million—a sum that would be recorded as pure profit due to his academy status, providing a significant boost to the club’s transfer budget under Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

As manager Ruben Amorim prepares for a major squad overhaul, the potential loss of Mainoo could hinder the club’s rebuilding efforts, particularly if other high-profile departures occur. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Ratcliffe’s frugal approach will strengthen Manchester United or lead to the loss of one of its brightest prospects.