[EPN NPinow reporter Yoon Dong-geun] Kobbie Mainoo has agreed to a contract extension with Manchester United.
Transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano reported on the 29th that Mainoo has extended his deal with United through 2031, with the club expected to make an official announcement this week.
Born in 2005, Mainoo came up through Manchester United’s youth academy and attracted attention when he made his first-team debut in 2023. Last season he featured in 32 matches, scored five goals and added one assist, announcing himself as one of the club’s brightest midfield prospects.
The situation changed, however, after the club appointed Rúben Amorim as manager. Amorim favored a back three with two central midfielders, a setup that exposed some of Mainoo’s defensive limitations and pushed him behind Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in the pecking order.
Mainoo even asked to be loaned out in the winter window to get regular minutes. Romano reported Napoli showed interest and talks took place, but Amorim urged the club to keep him and the move fell through.
His role didn’t improve immediately, but everything changed after Michael Carrick took over. Aside from a match against Leeds United he missed due to injury, Mainoo started every game following Carrick’s appointment and staged a complete turnaround. In Carrick’s four‑man defensive setup he struck up an effective partnership with Casemiro and used his ball‑retention skills and relentless work rate to impact both ends of the pitch. Carrick called him “a joy to watch.”
On the back of that form, Manchester United have earmarked Mainoo as a cornerstone of their long‑term project. With Casemiro’s exit confirmed at the end of the season, the club plans to rebuild the midfield around Mainoo.
The story of a youngster whose place looked uncertain after just one season — only to re-emerge as a leading figure following a coaching change — has captured attention. With this long‑term contract, Mainoo gets another chance to cement his status as a core United player.
Photos: Romano SNS, Yonhap News/AFP
