Manchester United close to finalising new Mainoo contract

Manchester United are on the verge of tying down academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract after productive negotiations with the 20-year-old’s representatives, sources have confirmed.

Talks opened in January following the departure of former manager Ruben Amorim, with the club eager to reward Mainoo’s emergence as a central figure in Michael Carrick’s recent resurgence. The midfielder, who struggled for regular minutes under the previous regime, has started every match since the managerial change and impressed with his composure on the ball and tactical intelligence.

Reputable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that an agreement is close on a deal that would keep the Stockport-born talent at Old Old Trafford until 2031. While paperwork is yet to be signed, optimism is high inside Carrington that the final details will be ironed out within days.

The breakthrough comes just weeks after Mainoo earned a recall to the England squad for March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, his first international involvement since September 202 4. Gareth Southgate’s decision to bring him back into the fold underlines the strides the youngster has made in the past two months.

At the turn of the year, Main was expected to depart on loan or even permanently after falling down the pecking order, but the managerial switch transformed his prospects. Carrick immediately restored him to the starting XI, and his performances have helped United climb into European contention after a sobering start to the campaign.

Should the new terms be finalised as anticipated, the contract will represent a remarkable turnaround for a player whose future appeared uncertain less than three months ago.