Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is 'far more settled' than he was in the summer, but there are still 'lingering' issues following Ruben Amorim's departure, according to a new report.
After growing frustrated with his bit-part role under Amorim, Mainoo was reportedly open to leaving his boyhood club last summer.
A host of clubs around Europe are said to have expressed an interest, including Chelsea and Napoli, but the midfielder eventually opted to stay – a decision that has paid off after being restored to the starting line-up under Michael Carrick.
Last month, it was suggested that United chiefs were set to begin discussions with Mainoo over a new long-term contract that would see his current salary of £25,000 quadrupled, as per talkSPORT.
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However, there are still so-called 'lingering issues' amongst Mainoo's camp and the United hierarchy, according to The Mail.
It comes after Mainoo agreed to a compromise on his new salary but didn’t hear back from United until Amorim was sacked in January.
The report adds: "It’s unclear if his representatives would be willing to accept the same terms now he has underlined his importance to the team since Carrick replaced Amorim."
However, if United and Mainoo can reach an agreement again, there is 'considerably more chance' of him signing a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.
Mainoo, who signed a deal in 2023 that ties him to the club until 2027, has been a regular under Carrick and will likely be deemed indispensable as fellow midfielder Casemiro looks set to depart this summer.
Michael Carrick heaps praise on Kobbie Mainoo
Speaking in an interview with the BBC last month, Carrick referred to Mainoo as a "huge talent".
"I've known Kobbie a long time. I started working with him when I think he was 13 or 14, when I was starting to do my coaching badges - a good few years ago. Just little bits. And then, obviously, when I was here the first time, he was in and around a little bit.
"So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions... I said earlier about coaches being able to cope with being here and at the level to deal with it. What Kobbie's done at such a young age is quite incredible really.
"We forget how young he still is. I was just a big fan of watching him play and knowing what he was capable of. So it wasn't really a big decision to play him. And, to be fair, it's not easy when you haven't played to find your rhythm and find your form.
"There are things he can get better at, things he can improve on, but we haven't really got started on any of that because we're just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again.
"I've been really conscious of not giving him an awful lot - a couple of little pointers, a bit of positional things and some little bits here and there - but trust in what he is. He's a fantastic footballer and he's got a huge talent."
Topics: Kobbie Mainoo, Man Utd, Premier League, Transfers
Jack Kenmare