Romano drops Mainoo update Man Utd fans will LOVE

Robin Bairner

• 9 Feb 2024 06:41 GMT
• 10 min read

Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Manchester United have a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo ready to be signed.

The 18-year-old has exploded onto the scene under Erik ten Hag this season and has played 16 first-team matches in what is his debut campaign. Had he not suffered from an ankle injury, this figure would be greater.

The central midfielder has impressed when given the chance, and now Man Utd are ready to extend his stay at Old Trafford, which is presently due to come to an end in 2027.

Romano took to X to report: “Understand Manchester United have already prepared a new contract proposal for Kobbie Mainoo.

“Initial discussions have already taken place with his camp to advance in talks over a new deal.

“Man Utd want Kobbie to be a crucial part of the project with salary rise also included.”

Ten Hag hails Mainoo

The Stockport-born youngster has performed to an accomplished level given this is his first season of Premier League football, while he has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) grow to over €10 million for the first time.

He has won a particular fan in Ten Hag, who said after the teenager impressed in a scoreless draw with Liverpool in December: “If you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that.

“When he gets used more often to those games, we will get even more joy from it. Because then his scanning and his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in, and he is the player who can really hurt opponents.”

Mainoo vs Premier League midfielders: 2023/24

In an interview with TNT, the former Ajax boss added: “Mainoo has some skills that remind me of some players, but for me it's always important that players find their own identity, and so that is what I try to push, that he finds his own identity with his skills.

“We challenge him every day to go to higher levels, and he's taken it very well. He's very coachable, really willing to progress and to develop, and that is I think a very good skill for a young player at 18 that in a very short period, he makes incredible progress.”

Man Utd are next in action against Aston Villa on Sunday – a match Mainoo will expect to be part of.