Man Utd Set to Lock Down Two Key Stars as Amorim Nightmare Fades Into History
Manchester United are reportedly nearing agreements on fresh contracts for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, two players who have arguably flourished most following the dismissal of former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo's current agreement runs until 2027, while Maguire is just months away from free agency. Both were expected to seek new destinations during Amorim's tenure, but the duo has experienced a remarkable resurgence under Michael Carrick's leadership.
Contract discussions have reached an "advanced stage," reports The Athletic. Mainoo and Maguire might even finalize their new deals before England's World Cup campaign. The rapid pace of this transformation has been extraordinary.
Kobbie Mainoo Set for 'Significant' Salary Bump
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The past few months have been eventful for Mainoo specifically. The United academy product spent the summer constantly linked with potential departures, which the player himself was reportedly eager to pursue.
A lengthy list of interested clubs gathered around the gifted midfielder, only for Amorim to reject their advances. United's roster was too depleted to lose a reserve player like Mainoo, he believed. However, there was no place for him in the starting lineup.
Amorim gave Mainoo just one start across the 21 matches he managed this season before his January dismissal. The Portuguese manager maintained that, within his two-man midfield setup, Mainoo was directly battling for a starting position with club captain Bruno Fernandes, who was untouchable.
Relations deteriorated to such an extent that Mainoo's half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames was spotted at Old Trafford sporting a "Free Kobbie Mainoo" shirt.
Carrick's appointment brought a tactical shift, restoring a three-man midfield that could include both Mainoo and Fernandes, alongside Casemiro. The 20-year-old academy talent has subsequently started United's previous 10 matches, thriving in a position that maximizes his comprehensive technical abilities while addressing some of Amorim's concerns about his physical presence through adequate support.
This rapid improvement has sparked fresh contract discussions. Mainoo signed his existing deal on Jan. 1, 2023, when he was just 17 and hadn't yet made his professional debut. The contract terms reflected his youth status, and The Athletic reports he's poised for a "significantly improved salary" if he signs an extension running through 2031.
Harry Maguire's Man Utd Arrangement
While Mainoo's wages have increased dramatically, Maguire's salary is unlikely to follow the same upward path. A reduction seems more probable.
The latest update doesn't detail Maguire's new terms, but earlier reports suggested his fresh contract depended on accepting reduced wages. In exchange, Maguire reportedly sought a multi-year commitment.
In some ways, he's achieved that goal. The report indicates United's influential center-back is finalizing a one-year extension with an option for an additional 12 months. Which party—player or club—holds the power to activate that clause remains unclear.
Mainoo, Maguire Pushing for 2026 World Cup
England boss Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for the absence of Manchester United players in his initial squads since assuming the role in January 2025. After selecting both Mainoo and Maguire for March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, he emphasized: "It's good to make the point I have nothing against Manchester United. It's just to acknowledge the achievement of Manchester United, as a team."
Mainoo and Maguire have both exemplified that team progress as regular starters under Carrick, which Tuchel acknowledged. "I think they have had an outstanding run since Michael Carrick is in charge. Harry and Kobbie have been a big part of that," he informed the media.
"So, it's like I said, the last camp before the U.S. and the last chance also, for me, to get to know new players and to learn about new players. Kobbie is one of them, Harry is not a new player in an England shirt, of course, but is new to me in a camp.
"I want to see them around other players, I want to feel them around the pitch and see what they are capable of, and learn about them, and then will make a clear decision in May."