Manchester United’s rising star Kobbie Mainoo is at the center of a growing storm, with reports from The Guardian suggesting the 19-year-old midfielder could reject a new contract and seek a move abroad. The United academy product, who joined United at age six and debuted under Erik ten Hag in 2023 at 17, has become a symbol of the club’s youth system. With just two years left in his contract, his team is negotiating for improved wages, but the latest report reveals that no agreement has been found between the two.
Currently earning £20,000 per week, the England international, capped 10 times and a standout at Euro 2024 for England, wants his salary aligned with key first-team players. While United are open to improving his terms, talks have dragged for months without resolution. Reports by talkSPORT hint at demands nearing £150,000 weekly, a figure which clashes with INEOS’ efforts to streamline the club’s bloated wage structure. However, at just 20, Mainoo has shown the potential and the performances to seek such numbers.
During the winter transfer window, Mainoo was strongly linked to Chelsea for a move away and the club valued him at £70 million. Coming from the United academy, the transfer meant pure profit on United’s books amid struggling financial implications. However, losing a local hero during Ruben Amorim’s rebuild risks alienating fans already frustrated by how well Antony and Scott McTominay have performed ever since leaving the club for Real Betis and Napoli respectively.
Amorim’s uncertain plans for Mainoo further complicate matters. The midfielder thrived early this season but suffered a calf injury in February. Previously, the manager openly questioned his defensive reliability in a deeper role. Shifting him to a No. 10 position yielded mixed results, with Amorim admitting Mainoo is well off upfront in the midfield. This experimentation, paired with limited playing time post-injury in the deeper midfield role, may have fueled the youngster’s doubts about his United future.
Chelsea briefly circled Mainoo in January, but the player reportedly prefers a move abroad to avoid joining a domestic rival. While no clubs have formally approached United, European giants could pounce if his contract standoff persists.
Mainoo’s potential exit would sting supporters who view him as a rare success story in a bleak era. His FA Cup final winner against Manchester City last May cemented his cult-hero status, making a sale politically unacceptable. Yet United’s hierarchy appears practical that if he won’t renew, cashing in now, before his contract depreciates, might be the harsh reality of modern football.
As talks drag on, the ball rests in Mainoo’s court. Will he commit to the club he’s called home since childhood, or seek greener pastures abroad? For United, losing yet another academy gem could signal deeper issues in their rebuild