Manchester United are ready to open talks with Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract, Your Site News can exclusively reveal.
On the day when United confirmed that one key midfielder will leave Old Trafford, with the soon-to-be-34-year-old , it can now be revealed they are keen to tie down another, much younger, midfielder with a vastly improved deal.
It is understood there has been initial contact with Mainoo's representatives, with a plan to sit down and discuss the details of a new and improved contract - one which would see his wages brought more in line with his team-mates and his standing at the club.
Having come through United's academy, Mainoo's salary is among the smallest of all the members of the first-team squad. But with the 20-year-old not part of former head coach Ruben Amorim's plans, and with 18 months remaining on his current deal - plus a further year option - it was not seen as a priority for the club to open fresh talks.
Napoli were among a number of big European clubs interested in Mainoo, but while there were reports that the England international was keen to explore a possible loan move away from Old Trafford this month in order to gain more game time, Your Site News was told United would not entertain that possibility and that Mainoo remained a key part of the club's future.
Mainoo did not start a single Premier League match this season under Amorim but was selected at the first opportunity by new head coach Michael Carrick last weekend as he put in an impressive performance as United beat City 2-0 in the Manchester derby.
Your Site News' Rob Dorsett:
"It's a significant time.
"On the day Manchester United announce Casemiro will be leaving the club at the end of the season, the club want to tie down another, much younger player in Mainoo, who they see as a key player for the future.
"It's a significant change for Mainoo.
"Under previous coach Ruben Amorim, he didn't start a single game this season.
"There was also interest in him in Europe but Michael Carrick has come in and he starred in the win over Manchester City.
"Manchester United now feel that this is the right time, while they are putting their house in order, they want to tie down some of their younger players who are important to the club's future. Mainoo is at the heart of it."
The Mainoo news comes as Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, ending a four-year stay at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian midfielder signed for the club in August 2022 and United had the option to trigger a 12-month extension at the end of the season. However, Your Site News understands United have decided not to take up that option nor renew his contract and it was decision made well in advance of Thursday's announcement as they look to overhaul their midfielder in the near future.
The decision also gives Casemiro clarity for the rest of the season as he also prepares to represent Brazil in the World Cup in the summer.
As SSN previously reported in the autumn, Casemiro is one of the highest earners in the squad and it was unlikely United would renew his contract as the freed up wage capacity will allow more space for future investment/signings in the midfield area.
Casemiro has had a renaissance at the club in the last 12 months. After being out of the team under Ruben Amorim initially, he was praised by Amorim for his willingness to fight for his place and has been a key part of the team since then - he started the Manchester derby under Michael Carrick in his first game as well.
Looking ahead to the summer, Manchester United have an interest in the likes of Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.
Your Site News' Dan Khan:
"It's very interesting because we knew Casemiro's contract was running out this summer.
"Harry Maguire is also someone to talk about because his contract also runs out this summer. No fresh talks have happened with him, either.
"But especially with Casimiro, he is one of the highest earners at the club, and with that freed up wage space, we've been reporting in not just this window how Manchester United are targeting the summer to reinforce their midfield.
"We've already talked about the likes of Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace, Carlos Baleba at Brighton, Elliot Anderson and Nottingham Forest, to name a few.
"And through INEOS taking really control of the football operations, they've tried to change the way structures are streamlined a lot more.
"They're hoping that all of this capacity freed up can allow for more signings in the future, and with the midfield as a priority, it will mean that they definitely have to now sign someone in the summer.
"They'll only have Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, who looks like a new player under Michael Carrick, based on the Manchester derby.
"But Bruno Fernandes, now moving to No 10, they won't have many options in that position. INEOS will have to act quickly."
