There hasn’t been an awful lot for Man United fans to cheer about this season, but the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo is certainly one thing for them to be pleased about.
The 18-year-old has slotted seamlessly into the team when required, and the nature of his brilliant injury time finish to win the game at Wolves told the footballing world what he is all about.
Although he’s already on a long contract with the club tying him down until 2027 with the option of a further year, it appears they already want to discuss new terms with him.
“Kobbie Mainoo is one of the best talents around the world and doing fantastic for Manchester United in the midfield. So much so that Man United are already preparing a new contract proposal,” Fabrizio Romano said in his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.
“[…] It’s not an urgent situation so Man United are not forced to do it as soon as possible, but they want to do it this year, in 2024, because the player’s contract is still long.
“They want Kobbie to be one of the faces of the project for the present and the future. He is a great talent who deserves a salary to match, but it’s just as important to make him feel like an important player for Manchester United.”
Along with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo is evidently the future of the storied Old Trafford outfit, so it’s only right that the club are looking to show their appreciation for his talents.
Erik ten Hag may not be around to see the player blossom, but for all of the Dutchman’s faults, he cannot be questioned regarding his commitment to youth.
His young Ajax team were one of the best in Europe just a few years back, and developing young stars is arguably where his long-term future lies.
Man United just aren’t at the stage where they can rely on that as one of the major tenets that underpin their game.