Man Utd make major Kobbie Mainoo transfer decision after Casemiro exit sealed | Football

Manchester United are keen to open talks with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo over a new and improved contract at the club, according to reports.

Mainoo came close to leaving the club on loan over the summer, having seen his playing opportunities greatly diminished under Ruben Amorim.

The midfielder continued to endure a bit-part role under Amorim, but has now been gifted a new lease of life following the departure of the Portuguese head coach in early January.

Caretaker Darren Fletcher immediately brought Mainoo back into the fold, before the 20-year-old was given his first Premier League start of the season by interim head coach Michael Carrick in last weekend’s Manchester derby.

And now, Sky Sports reports that United are keen to give Mainoo a new contract, which will see his wage increase to that of his first-team team-mates.

Talks over potential terms are not said to have begun yet, but the club have reached out to Mainoo’s representatives to get the ball rolling.

Mainoo is currently under contract until the summer of 2027, having signed a deal in February 2023 following his breakthrough under Erik ten Hag.

The recent developments come on the same day that United announced that Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Brazilian midfielder is one of the club’s highest earners on more than £300,000 a week, but will now depart Old Trafford after four seasons.

Michael Owen: ‘Mainoo still has a point to prove’

‘By the very fact that Amorim has gone, you would think that he’s going to get a lot more opportunity to play, but that’s where the positive for him ends in many ways,’ Owen told Metro when asked about the United midfielder

‘Now it’s down to Mainoo. It’s all right blaming people, but of course, his time is now going to come and he’s got to take it.

‘He’s got to take that opportunity because if the next manager doesn’t play him and the next manager doesn’t bring him on much, then at some point, a little bit like Marcus Rashford, those doubts might start to creep in.

‘He’ll be thinking, “Am I playing well? Am I listening to the information I’m getting? Am I disciplined? Am I all of these things?”

‘Right now, he will be one of the happiest people about, but now it’s going to be squarely on his toes, and there’s no hiding place or excuses.

‘He’s got to now prove that Amorim was wrong by not playing him as much. He’s probably going to get that opportunity, so we’ll see.’

‘I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,’ Casemiro said.

‘From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.

‘It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months.

‘We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.’

United return to action on Sunday as Carrick’s side face league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates.

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