On Thursday, it became clear that Casemiro will leave the club at the end of the season, and, in line with that, Mainoo has a prime opportunity to prove to United that he can become a more pivotal figure in the club’s future.
He returned to the starting lineup for Michael Carrick’s first game in charge last weekend, as United defeated Manchester City 2-0, having previously been frozen out by Ruben Amorim.
This period of the season also presents an opportunity for Mainoo to show that he deserves a better offer than the terms discussed last year.
United are open to fresh discussions between now and the end of the season, and the fact that there is no longer the same level of friction between the player and the club following Amorim’s departure should allow for more amicable talks to take place.
United first opened contract talks with Mainoo after he scored the winning goal in the 2024 FA Cup final, and there have since been at least two further significant rounds of discussions.
His current contract runs until 2027, and he has long felt that he deserves to move away from his status as one of the squad’s lower earners.
Mainoo believes he has the potential to be considered for a role worth in excess of £150,000 per week.
It is understood that the terms that have been offered so far are similar to those agreed by Amad Diallo last January, believed to be worth around £110,000 per week.
The new wage model being implemented at United under INEOS is set to remain in place, with the level on offer reflecting a player’s status within the squad.
Mainoo had been seeking a more substantial uplift from his current base - believed to be around £30,000 a week - but that could only happen if he suddenly proves that his status within the squad is higher than currently considered.
Napoli, Bayern Munich, and a number of Premier League clubs expressed interest in signing Mainoo this month, but United have consistently declared him off-limits.
