Kobbie Mainoo's future at Manchester United is looking increasingly secure, with reports confirming the club have reached a verbal agreement on a new five-year contract that will keep the England midfielder at Old Trafford until 2031.
The 20-year-old has been one of the few genuine bright spots in what has been a turbulent season at United, and the club were determined not to let one of their most prized assets run down his contract. Now it looks like they have gotten the deal done — at least verbally.
Wages to quadruple
According to multiple reports, Mainoo's weekly wages will jump from around £20,000 to £120,000 per week — a fourfold increase that reflects both his rapid rise and the club's desperate need to tie down their homegrown talent. Some sources put the figure even higher, at £150,000 a week, though the lower figure appears more consistent across reliable outlets.
It is a significant outlay for a club still navigating serious financial difficulties, but holding onto Mainoo was always going to cost. There was genuine interest from top clubs on the continent, and United simply could not afford to lose him on the cheap or, worse, see him leave for free at the end of his current deal in 2027.
Announcement before the end of the season
United are expected to formally announce the renewal before the end of the current season, with sources close to the club suggesting the paperwork will be completed within the coming weeks. Manager Michael Carrick has made Mainoo central to his plans since taking charge, and the midfielder has started all ten of United's Premier League games under the former England international.
The contrast with life under Ruben Amorim is stark. Mainoo found himself frozen out during Amorim's tenure, his confidence visibly shaken and his minutes drying up at a critical point in his development. Since Carrick's arrival, he has looked like a completely different player — composed, influential, and back to the level that earned him his England debut.
A statement of intent
Keeping Mainoo sends a message. After years of selling or losing top academy products — whether through bad planning, financial necessity or poor management — United are finally holding onto one of their own. He came through their academy, he broke into the first team at 17, and now they are putting serious money behind him.
There is still a bit of work to do before it becomes official. Verbal agreements are exactly that, and until the pen hits paper, nothing is guaranteed. But the mood around Carrington sounds positive, and barring any last-minute complications, Kobbie Mainoo will be a Manchester United player for the foreseeable future.
For a club that has been desperate for good news this season, this is a rare one worth celebrating.
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