Man United have been in talks over a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo and supporters have voted on his future.
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Kobbie Mainoo lifts the FA Cup trophy with Manchester United
Kobbie Mainoo lifts the FA Cup trophy with Manchester United
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
The majority of Manchester United fans want Kobbie Mainoo to stay at the club this summer.
United opened contract talks with Mainoo's camp in March last year and negotiations were heading in the right direction before stalling, which has led to uncertainty over his future.
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Ruben Amorim has implemented a new formation since his appointment and there are question marks about which role suits Mainoo best, although he operated in more prominent midfield positions before picking up a recent injury and emerged with credit for those displays.
Mainoo signed a new contract in February 2023, which expires in 2027, with the option of an additional year, and United sources say they do not want to drive him out of the club.
There are still more than two years remaining on Mainoo's deal, but it's understood his current wages don't reflect his importance to the squad, hence why fresh talks are under way.
Mainoo has become a topic of debate among fans and the Manchester Evening News recently launched a survey to gauge opinions on the future of the popular United academy graduate.
Those survey results can now be revealed and 61 per cent of readers want to keep Mainoo this summer regardless of whether an agreement can be struck between his camp and the club.
However, 71 per cent of supporters are open to selling him in the summer of 2026 if no new deal is agreed, as Mainoo would be heading into the final year of his contract in that scenario.
The survey also asked fans whether they rather keep Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho, provided that United were forced to sell an academy graduate in the summer window, and 64 per cent said they would rather Garnacho leave the club, while 36 per cent voted for the Stockport-born lad.
Regarding a potential transfer fee for Mainoo, over 50 per cent of fans said they would only accept a bid of more than £70million and 22 per cent would be happy with a fee between £61m and £70m.
The sale of the academy graduate represents 'total profit', which will help United operate within Profit and Sustainability rules, and other Premier League clubs have been forced to sell young talent.
After the emergence of Garnacho, who is also no longer deemed as an 'unsellable' player by Ineos' decision-makers, Mainoo has been the biggest academy success story of recent years.
Mainoo made his Premier League debut against Everton in November 2023 and subsequently enjoyed a breakout season, which saw him make the England squad for Euro 2024.
He scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City before that tournament, but this season has been a stop-start for the youngster after picking up minor injuries.