Manchester United have moved to accelerate contract negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo, viewing the 20-year-old as the fundamental cornerstone of the club’s future following the confirmed departure of Casemiro.
With the Brazilian veteran officially announced to be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season, the Red Devils board has shifted its focus to securing their most prized homegrown asset. The arrival of Michael Carrick as manager has only intensified this mission, with the former United captain reportedly identifying Mainoo as the central figure in his tactical revolution.
Rewarding the Rising Star
According to Sky Sports, formal talks with Mainoo’s representatives are already underway. The club plans to offer a significantly improved salary that reflects his status as a regular first-team starter. Currently among the lowest earners in the squad, the new deal aims to bring Mainoo’s wages in line with the Premier League’s elite youngsters.
The transition from Ruben Amorim to Michael Carrick has seen Mainoo’s importance grow even further. Carrick’s faith in the youngster was evident in the recent Manchester Derby, where he fielded Mainoo alongside Casemiro in a dominant 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
A Statement of Intent
Mainoo’s disciplined and composed performance against City was the final confirmation the board needed to fast-track the renewal. Internally, the club views the midfielder as the “bridge” between the current squad and the next generation.
As the club prepares for a massive midfield overhaul this summer which may also include a pursuit of West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes securing Mainoo is seen as a strategic move to prevent any external interest from European rivals. For Carrick, building a midfield around Mainoo’s technical quality is the first step in returning Manchester United to the pinnacle of English football.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
