Manchester United are in danger of losing Kobbie Mainoo after talks over a new contract stalled, according to reports.
The Daily Mail claim that the Red Devils are trying to drive down the wage bill and that has had consequences in negotiating an extension with the 19-year-old.
It is believed that Chelsea are currently favourites to sign Mainoo if the situation can’t be resolved. Understandably, supporters on X are not happy about this latest development:
He better not leave!!! We need him for the future.
— Darkest_Grins (@Darkest_Grins) January 7, 2025
What a RIDICULOUS story. 🤣 he’s going nowhere. And definitely not there. 🤣🤣🤣
— Dev Bajwa (@ammandev) January 7, 2025
INEOS must be dumb if they think it’s okay to sell Kobbie Mainoo 🙄
— Rendil Morera (@apocryphal7) January 7, 2025
If you believe this, I have a bridge in Antarctica I’d love to sell to you.
— Erformarr 🩺📜 (@Erformar) January 7, 2025
They can buy him on FIFA 🙏🏻
— amadness (@AkshayGhatge13) January 7, 2025
Only if they swap palmer…
— Kwisatz Haderach (@shreeramj67n) January 7, 2025
🤣What a joke.
— Red Devils Talk (@thestretford3nd) January 7, 2025
How long does Mainoo have left on his contract?
United are not under immediate pressure to offload the midfielder. He signed onto professional terms in February 2023, keeping him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2027.
Moreover, the Red Devils protected themselves by including an option to extend for an additional twelve months, which means Mainoo effectively still has three and a half years remaining on his current deal.
United are open to selling homegrown players
Despite having the option to keep Mainoo, though, the club will have to balance the books to keep in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Homegrown stars, like Mainoo, go down as pure profit on the accounts and that means his departure could still be considered. The Mail report there are only two players (Leny Yoro and Amad Diallo) who are classed as “untouchable” when it comes to potential sales.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
