Man Utd star 'wants pay rise of £180k per week' to sign new Old Trafford contract

Manchester United’s summer spending is likely to hinge on what funds can be generated from player departures. It was that way for much of the January transfer window, with the Red Devils largely restricted to loans and free agents although they did manage to agree a permanent deal for Patrick Dorgu.

Jadon Sancho is set to join Chelsea on a permanent deal in the summer, with the Blues loan move for the player requiring an obligation to buy. Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford and Antony left Old Trafford on loan for PSV, Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively and the trio’s future lies away from the Red Devils with more funds to be generated if United can offload those players permanently.

Under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, selling academy graduates counts as pure profit when it comes to accounting for losses and gains.

United ‘hopeful’ of convincing Mainoo to stay

One academy graduate linked with a surprise exit in January was midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The 19-year-old has swiftly become an important player for the Red Devils and has also become a regular for England in the last 12 months. He was linked with a move to Chelsea in January but a move was never close.

In a fresh update on the player’s future, the Daily Mail has reported that Mainoo’s representatives want the player to be handed a pay rise of £180,000 per week plus bonuses. They feel that is more reflective of his status within the squad. However, United are reportedly eager to convince Mainoo that his future lies at United and hopeful they can reach a ‘compromise’ in contract talks.

Mainoo penned his last contract with United in February 2023, when he was aged just 17.

What Amorim has said

Speaking after reports emerged of Chelsea being interested in Mainoo, Amorim said back in January: "Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players we build for this club. But we know the position the club is in at the moment. We will see."

He added: "I really love my players. I want to keep them, especially the talented ones. It is a hard moment and I am really happy with Kobbie. He is improving."

Speaking later during the window, Amorim said after a win over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League: “Everybody in England sees him as a very good player. He played in the European Championship final. I think it is more the position, then he is not comfortable. Before he was always playing and now sometimes he plays and sometimes he doesn't. He doesn't play and he is not comfortable. Maybe there is something to do with that.

“But I think the key point is the position. It is different for him. It demands a lot from him. Today, in that position, I feel he is more happy to play, simple as that. I don't look at just the movements, the way he touches the ball. I feel it just watching him. He was so happy on the pitch. That is important for me because if they are happy, they play better. I think he can change position.”

Mainoo is currently sidelined by injury and not expected to play again until after the international break.