Man United
Mick Brown
Mon 10 March 2025 12:46, UK
Man United are prepared to accept bids worth £70million for fans favourite Kobbie Mainoo this summer, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that INEOS want to raise a significant fee from his exit.
This comes after the midfielder turned down the offer of a new contract at United amid suggestions he plans to leave the club come the end of the season.
However, a £70million asking price has been set in an attempt to raise the most money possible from his departure, which is expected to help the club financially.
Brown told Football Insider on 11 February that Man United plan to accept offers for Mainoo this summer in an attempt to climb out of a difficult financial position.
Aljenadro Garnacho was also heavily linked with Chelsea in a move away from Old Trafford in January, with the opportunity to make pure profit from their sales a key aim for United.
Man United
Kobbie Mainoo looks set to leave Man United. (Credit: Getty Images)
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Man United plan to raise funds from ‘£70m’ Kobbie Mainoo sale
Brown told Football Insider in January that Man United should not sell Mainoo under any circumstances despite ongoing speculation about his future.
However, with an exit looking inevitable, the former scout who has a wealth of experience working with elite players during his time at United has insisted that they should be in a position to demand a high fee for his services.
“He’s a current England international,” he told Football Insider.
“Given the market being what it is, I think United will accept a fee of around £70million.
“Personally, I don’t think they should even be thinking about selling him, but if he wants to leave and they think that’s the best decision, then that’s up to them.
“The club has been built on the young players who have come through into the first-team.
“Selling those players for profit has never been a part of their plans in the past.
“Can you imagine they’d decided to sell Norman Whiteside, David Beckham or Paul Scholes when they were coming through just because they could’ve made some money from them?
“I understand INEOS want to raise money and one way to do that is through selling players, but the academy players should be kept at all costs.
“If it’s to get them out of financial trouble now, they only have themselves to blame.
“The way things are going, though, a £70million fee will be seen as a boost for them.
“They can raise some money which can go back into the club and hopefully there will be some left over to fund a replacement.
“I don’t know who you’re getting with that money that’s better than Mainoo, though.”
Man United manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim responds to Bruno Fernandes exit rumours
With Mainoo’s departure growing more likely, United are already putting plans in place to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the futures of a number of their first-team stars have been questioned in recent weeks, as speculation has emerged over the future of Bruno Fernandes.
Brown told Football Insider on 4 March that Man United want to keep Fernandes and are doing all they can to ensure he stays beyond the end of the season.
Fernandes’ current contract at Old Trafford is set to run until 2027, while the club have the option to extend his deal by a further year, placing them firmly in control.
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