Kobbie Mainoo is set to sign a new long-term deal at Manchester United after negotiations began March to reflect the 19-year-old midfielder’s growing importance within the first-team.
The Manchester Evening News reveals talks are “close” to completion with Mainoo in line to receive a “deserved wage increase when he puts pen to paper.”
The report describes the situation as “relaxed” between club and player with “no rush” from either party to finalize the deal.
Mainoo was “focused on his football and starred for England at the European Championship after scoring in the FA Cup final at Wembley” with United happy with the approach of their prodigiously talented academy graduate.
The midfielder firmly established himself in Erik ten Hag’s starting eleven after recovering from an ankle injury sustained during pre-season last summer.
Without this unfortunate setback, it’s likely Mainoo would have emerged as a key player for the Dutch manager even earlier in the season. But the youngster waited little time once he was given the opportunity.
Mainoo finished the year with 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring five and providing a further three assists.
Undoubtedly, the 19-year-old’s most triumphant moment came in the FA Cup final at the end of the season at Wembley, with his well-taken goal putting United 2-0 up against local rivals Manchester City.
And it proved decisive with the match finishing 2-1, securing the club its thirteenth FA Cup trophy in the process. Mainoo was awarded the FA Cup Player of the Season award for his performances throughout the competition.
These impressive performances at the heart of United’s midfield were recognized by Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate, who selected the youngster for the England squad for EURO 2024 in Germany.
Despite not opening the tournament as a starter, Mainoo was quickly thrust into the first eleven as England progressed, with other options in midfield failing to impress. The United star helped his country to the final in Germany, but ultimately lost to a deserving Spain side.
It constitutes a remarkable year for a youngster who had only made a handful of senior appearances heading into the campaign. And it’s a season which saw the 19-year-old’s performances as a rare bright spot in a dressing room full of disappointment, with Mainoo perhaps the only player at present in Old Trafford deserving of a bumper new contract.
Feature image Glyn Kirk via Getty Images
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