Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford
Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo's alleged plans to turn down a new contract offer could spark a fan revolt, it has been claimed.
The midfielder's future at Old Trafford is currently uncertain following reports linking him with a move away from the club during the summer. The 19-year-old made his breakthrough during the 2023-24 season after coming up through United's academy and also made his England bow last year.
With Mainoo's contract due to expire in 2027, The Guardian reports he could reject a fresh contract proposal from United in favour of a move abroad. Former Red Devils goalkeeper Ben Foster believes the club's hierarchy could be tempted to cash in, with the player said to be valued at around £70million.
However, the ex-England and Wrexham shot-stopper warned that selling Mainoo would trigger uproar among supporters despite United's major financial struggles off the pitch. Foster described the situation as "frightening" but said he didn't blame the youngster for considering his options.
"The state of things at United at the minute is that even Kobbie Mainoo is apparently looking to reject a new contract, which is just frightening," he said on the Fozcast podcast. "In the last 20 to 25 years, have you ever heard of a young Man United player who’s this highly thought of rejecting the chance to stay in the long term?
"If I was Mainoo, I'd want to go to a team that has got a real plan and a real strategy for the future, one that looks positive and upbeat, and where it looks like you could really forge a way at that football club. The fact is that the Man United hierarchy would probably look at that £70m and go, 'You know what, that's £70m profit - that would do a job'.
Ruben Amorim gives instructions to Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo
Ruben Amorim gives instructions to Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo
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Image:
PA)
"Imagine what the fans will think of that. I think that would be the last straw, I genuinely do. It would go off because Man United have always really got behind those homegrown players, and they've been a massive integral part. They're at the place now where they would rather just move them on for money and it's sickening."
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe addressed the issue directly in an interview with the BBC on Monday. The INEOS chief denied the suggestion that the Red Devils would be willing to sell players like Mainoo and his teammate Alejandro Garnacho, who has also been linked with a move away.
Ratcliffe said: "No no. We won't be selling players because of the state we are in financially. The way we are resolving the financial issue is to cut the…the club had got bloated so we reduced that and will finish it with a lean and efficient organisation.
"That's how we will address the costs. The player decisions are ones that Omar (Berrada), Ruben (Amorim) and Jason (Wilcox) - and a bit me - will make in the summer. And that will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That's all."
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