Manchester United are close to renewing Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire’s contracts, and a key detail shows Ineos’ masterplan in action.
For Manchester United, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire getting contract extensions is a pleasant development and comeback stories.
United were open to selling Mainoo for just £40m last summer, while Maguire’s whole United career has been about setbacks and comebacks.
However, their extensions presented two uniquely tricky scenarios, and Ineos are handling it perfectly.
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes talk after Manchester United vs Sunderland.
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
HOW will Harry Maguire be remembered at Manchester United?💥
Harry Maguire celebrates scoring for Manchester United.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire’s contract details
From a squad planning perspective, the situation of Maguire and Mainoo couldn’t be more different.
While one is an exciting young talent with his best years ahead of him, the other has effectively forced Ineos’ hand by making himself undeniable even at an older age.
Mainoo is a building block, while Maguire is a steady hand in the dressing room right now.
More United News
Therefore, United needed to approach these two negotiations through extremely different lenses.
They’ve done exactly that, as their contract details reveal two masterstrokes by Ineos in squad planning and management.
Mainoo’s salary is set to see a big bump, as is deserved, and he will be tied down to the club till 2031, which is how it should be for a homegrown young talent.
Maguire, on the other hand, is taking a pay cut and getting a one-year extension, with the club reserving the right to extend it by another year.
United have tied down a young generational talent for the long term, while reserving financial flexibility for the older player.
If Maguire keeps his level up, then United will simply exercise their option to extend his contract to 2028, and they’ve saved on wages in the process.
If he doesn’t, then they can part ways next summer, and the pay cut will allow both parties to do so easily.
Bruno Fernandes is the real challenge for Ineos
Maguire and Mainoo’s extensions were tricky, but they were two extreme ends of a spectrum that provided clarity of thought in negotiations.
What does Bruno Fernandes have to do in 2026 to challenge for the Ballon d’Or?
Win the World Cup? Win the Premier League POTY? Break the assist record?
Bruno Fernandes Ballon d'Or Talking points graphic.
Credit: Getty Images.
Bruno Fernandes is the real challenge for Ineos, because he has Maguire’s age with Mainoo’s importance, and a peak that is still ongoing.
Unlike Maguire, Fernandes doesn’t warrant a pay cut or a short-term contract, but like Mainoo, he doesn’t have age on his side either.
Ineos will need to hit the sweet spot where they insure themselves against a potential age-related decline, while rewarding him for his service to the club handsomely.
They can’t be saddled with marquee wages for a player who might not be the same anymore in three years’ time, but they also can’t afford to alienate him by presenting an insulting offer.
Maguire and Mainoo’s extensions were tricky but handled perfectly. The real test is Fernandes’ extension.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox