Manchester United have a huge summer transfer window ahead of them and they need to get it right.
The futures of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo have both made headlines over the last few months(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester United had plenty of reasons to sack Ruben Amorim. Results and performances were not good enough, he was too stubborn with his 3-4-2-1 formation and yet it was his outburst following the draw at Leeds that eventually ended things.
But arguably his most egregious error was not finding a place for Kobbie Mainoo in his team. Despite playing two No.10s, Amorim opted to push Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role to allow Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to start behind Benjamin Sesko. United needed a midfield anchor alongside Fernandes and Casemiro was the man to sit next to the captain.
This meant Mainoo was pushed to the outskirts of the squad. He requested a loan last summer and the request was quickly rejected. “He’s going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling,” Amorim insisted when asked about Mainoo over Christmas.
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“He just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days.” Ultimately, the change Mainoo was hoping for came a fortnight later. Once Amorim departed, the midfielder was given a cameo against Burnley and then returned to the starting XI for the FA Cup defeat at home to Brighton.
Mainoo has not dropped out of the team since and has become an integral part of Michael Carrick’s success. Both Carrick and Darren Fletcher admitted the academy graduate is hard to read but it is clear how happy he is now, compared to the beginning of the season.
Just one issue remains unresolved: Mainoo’s contract.
The midfielder’s deal is set to expire at the end of next season. United hold the option to extend Mainoo’s stay by an additional year but that is not something the 20-year-old would welcome.
His current deal was signed when he was 17. Since then, the midfielder’s status at the club has drastically changed and, understandably, Mainoo would want to see his wage reflect that.
MEN Sport reported last year Mainoo was not happy with the terms proposed by the Reds. Considering the reduced minutes under Amorim, talks of a new contract halted.
Now Mainoo is regularly playing again, United need to nail down this new deal and it should be done before the summer transfer window. Having looked destined to miss out just a couple of months ago, the midfielder is in a great position to be called up for the World Cup.
Another good tournament for England would see Mainoo’s stock rise even further. It could also increase the number of teams looking to tempt him away from Old Trafford. Mainoo looks settled at United, but if they don’t secure Champions League football, could you really blame him for looking elsewhere in a bid to play in the best club competition in Europe?
If Mainoo’s contract reaches its final 12 months, United would not be in a healthy position were any clubs to test their resolve on Mainoo. There is also the possibility he reaches January 2027 and walks away for free that summer.
Both scenarios are unthinkable. United must get their act together and sort Mainoo’s contract before the end of the season.
Regardless of who the new head coach is, Mainoo should be tied down, especially when a midfield overhaul is already guaranteed thanks to Casemiro’s departure. As Amorim rightly said, Mainoo is the future of the club and the team should be built around him.
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