Manchester United are not close to agreeing a contract extension with Kobbie Mainoo despite his return to the first-team fold, according to the Daily Mail.
The young midfielder looked set to push for an exit from Old Trafford this month after being restricted to substitute appearances in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim, but after the Portuguese manager was sacked he has since started both games under interim manager Michael Carrick, which they have won against Man City and Arsenal.
The club are now keen to re-open contract talks to tie his long-term future to the club, however, it has emerged that things may not be as straightforward as hoped.
Man Utd and Mainoo in Contract Talks
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo is considered to be one of the best academy talents to come out of Carrington in recent years, but he is into the final 18 months of his contract at the club, although United also have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Talks over a new deal have previously stalled, and there was talk that Mainoo could leave this month in order to play more regular first-team football having found himself sidelined by Amorim. But after taking his place in the side back, there was hope there could be a swift conclusion to talks.
However, it's understood that Mainoo's issues with the club didn't end with Amorim, and actually extend to members of the club hierarchy, meaning any agreement over a new contract is some way off still.
Mainoo is keen to be placed among the club's top earners, but United's stance on that remains unclear and it's reported that there is 'a lot of ground to make up' in talks after the last 12 months.
There is still confidence within the corridors at Manchester United that an agreement will eventually be reached, but talk of a deal being close is described as premature.
New Mainoo Contract Must Be a Priority
kobbie mainoo
While there is a clear need for open-heart surgery in midfield at the club, there is no doubt that the priority has to be ensuring that Mainoo is part of the long-term future of the club.
An academy player is always highly-sought after, but his quality is undeniable and there aren't many players on the market who can offer what he does, at the level he does.
It's possible that getting Mainoo tied down long-term will be the best bit of business Man Utd do this summer, but there is clearly work to be done before a deal is sealed.
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