Manchester United are ready to begin talks with Koby Mainu over a new contract, Sky Sports News can exclusively reveal.
On the day United announced that one of their key midfielders would be leaving Old Trafford with the soon-to-be 34-year-old Casemiro leaving at the end of the season, it became clear they were keen to sign another, much younger midfielder on a much improved deal.
It is understood that initial contact has been made with Mainu’s representatives to discuss the details of a new and improved contract, which will see his salary more in line with his team-mates and his position at the club.
Mainu, a product of United’s academy, has one of the lowest salaries of all members of the first team. However, the 20-year-old was not part of former head coach Ruben Amorim’s plans and, with 18 months remaining on his current contract plus an option for a further year, starting new negotiations was not considered a priority for the club.
Napoli were one of Europe’s big clubs interested in Mainu, but while there were reports that the England international was exploring the possibility of a loan move from Old Trafford this month to increase game time, Sky Sports News reported that United were not open to that possibility and that Mainu remains a key part of the club’s future.
Mainu did not start a single Premier League game under Amorim this season, but was selected at the first opportunity by new head coach Michael Carrick following his impressive performance in United’s 2-0 victory over City in last weekend’s Manchester derby.
“United feel it is the right time to keep Mainu out.”
Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News:
“This is an important time.
“On the day Manchester United announced that Casemiro would leave at the end of the season, the club wanted to sign another much younger player, Mainu, who they see as a key player for the future.
“This is an important change for Mainu.
“Under former coach Ruben Amorim, I didn’t start a single game this season.
“There was interest in him in Europe as well, but Michael Carrick came in and he helped us win against Manchester City.
“Manchester United feels now is the right time. We want to get our house in order while locking down some young players who are important to the club’s future. Mainu is at the heart of this.”
United are ready to revamp their midfield in the summer
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Casemiro thanked Manchester United fans after announcing he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. Video credit: Manchester United
Mainu’s news comes as Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, ending his four-year stay at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian midfielder signed for the club in August 2022, with United having the option to trigger a 12-month extension at the end of the season. However, Sky Sports News understands that the decision was made well in advance of Thursday’s announcement, with United deciding not to take up that option and not renew his contract, and looking to review the midfielder in the near future.
The decision also provides clarity for the rest of the season as Casemiro prepares to represent Brazil at the World Cup this summer.
As SSN previously reported in the autumn, Casemiro was considered unlikely to be renewed by United as he is one of the highest-paid players in the team and the free wage space would give him more space to invest/sign in the midfield area in the future.
Casemiro has enjoyed a resurgence at the club in the last 12 months. After initially being left out of the team under coach Ruben Amorim, he has since become an important part of the team, praised by Amorim for his willingness to fight for his position. He also started in the first Manchester derby under manager Michael Carrick.
Manchester United are interested in the likes of Carlos Bareva, Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton ahead of the summer.
How will Manchester United replace Casemiro?
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Sky Sports News’ Danial Khan has revealed that Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season and there are discussions about who could be signed to replace him.
Dan Khan of Sky Sports News:
“This is very interesting because we knew that Casemiro’s contract would expire this summer.
“Harry Maguire is also a hot topic as his contract expires this summer. New negotiations with him have not yet taken place.
“But with Casimiro in particular, he is one of the highest earners at the club and we have been reporting in this window and beyond on how Manchester United are looking to strengthen their midfield in the summer, using that free wage slot.
“We’ve already talked about Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace, Carlos Baleva at Brighton, Elliott Anderson and Nottingham Forest, to name a few.
“And with INEOS actually controlling the football operations, they have sought to further change the way they streamline the structure.
“They hope that all this free capacity will allow them to sign more in the future and with midfield as a priority they will definitely have to sign someone in the summer.
“From the Manchester derby they will only have Manuel Ugarte and Coby Mainu, but they look like new players under Michael Carrick.
“However, Bruno Fernandes has now moved to number 10 and there are not many options in that position. INEOS will have to act quickly.”
