Man Utd Told to Pull Out of Kobbie Mainoo Contract Talks After New Development

Manchester United have been told to put any potential contract talks with Kobbie Mainoo on hold.

The 20-year-old midfielder came through the youth team ranks at United to play for his boyhood club and has scored seven goals in 88 games in all competitions since making his senior debut in January 2023.

However, it was a difficult first half of the season for Mainoo, who struggled for minutes under previous United boss Ruben Amorim.

In Amorim's formation, the Portuguese favoured a central midfield starting pair of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.

Amorim said that Mainoo was competing with captain Fernandes for his place in the team, which meant the Academy product was mostly restricted to stints off the bench.

Amorim was sacked as United boss in early January and Mainoo has been one of the major beneficiaries of the change in the dugout.

Mainoo has started all three of Michael Carrick's matches in charge, in which he has impressed as United have taken 100% points from the games in question against Manchester City, Arsenal and today at Old Trafford against Fulham.

United secured a dramatic late 3-2 win over the Cottagers at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha put the hosts in control, but Fulham looked to have snatched a late point after Raul Jimenez's penalty and Kevin's sublime effort.

Kobbie Mainoo. (Image: Getty)

But substitute Benjamin Sesko netted a dramatic late winner in stoppage time to ensure three points for the hosts as they stay firmly in the race for Champions League football next season and a place in the top four.

Mainoo's current United contract runs until the summer of 2027, with the option of extending it by an extra 12 months.

Following Amorim's departure, it has been reported by BBC Sport that United are keen to resume discussions with Mainoo over a fresh deal at Old Trafford and bring his salary in line with senior squad players to highlight the importance of which he is held at the club.

It was reported last summer that Mainoo wanted to leave United on loan to seek regular playing time ahead of this summer's World Cup, with Serie A champions Napoli heavily linked.

But former United striker Louis Saha believes his old club ought to put any talks with Mainoo about a new deal on the back burner for now as the midfielder focuses on more regular playing time under Carrick.

As per the Daily Express, Saha said: "No, no, no, I think this is like good talk for the media and his agent and all that, to him. What he has to do is score more goals, assist more, play well and progress. That's it.

"Whatever, like that, people talk about contracts and stuff like this, you know, it's not good for him. He's only a young player who, yes, maybe played for England - and has a World Cup to look forward to. He has to improve. That's it.

"Why are they thinking about contract extension, moving away, looking at McTominay's career or whatever? It's wrong. Just play, just play, just play, improve every day.

"It's two games, that's not enough. He needs to score maybe ten goals, and then become the main man in midfield with Casemiro - and then people will give him the contract he wants. That's it. He doesn't need anyone else to speak about this extension, and think about this now.

"It's just about focusing on this game. He hasn't played for many months. He was on the bench. Now it's time for consistency. Get 15 games under his belt, bring him to the World Cup and see how it goes."

Saha scored 42 goals in 124 games for United between 2004 and 2008, winning two Premier League titles, the League Cup and the Champions League.