- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that once Manchester United return from their USA pre-season tour, the club are keen to sort out new contracts for two key players.
Manchester United have been busy during the summer transfer window with Erik ten Hag hoping to turn the club’s fortunes around after an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.
United signed Leny Yoro last month and have also added Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee to their forward line and the Dutchman may well be starting from the off for the Red Devils due to Rasmus Hojlund’s hamstring injury.
Whilst new signings are going to be key this summer, the Red Devils are keen to sort out the future of two important youngsters.
United keen to extend Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo’s contract
HITC revealed in February that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had green-lit an extension for Kobbie Mainoo and talks have been ongoing since then, and the club’s new football supremo, Dan Ashworth made Mainoo’s contract extension one of his priorities.
There are understood to be no issues between United and Mainoo with neither side rushing the situation as the player and club were concentrating on the end of the season.
Mainoo was key at Euro 2024 with England, where he finished the tournament in Germany as a midfield starter.
Mainoo is very happy with life at United and whilst the club are in no way worried about his future, they want him tied up sooner rather than later.
With the teenager now rated as one of the best youngsters in Europe, Mainoo is set to land a contract that befits that status.
United aren’t stopping with Mainoo either with Amad Diallo also another target for a contract extension.
United keen to extend Amad’s contract after promising pre-season
Sources have confirmed to HITC that United have also opened talks with Amad’s camp about prolonging his deal – which in theory expires in 12 months, although the club does hold the option to extend that by a further year.
There is a belief from those within United that the talent that Amad possesses would mean that the Red Devils’ decision to not bid for Michael Olise, who joined Bayern Munich, would prove to be a fruitful one as it would allow the Ivorian more game time.
Speaking to the media following victory over Rangers during pre-season, ten Hag believed that this has to be the year for Amad.
“At the end of last season, he had a very good time in our first team and played some good games,” Ten Hag said.
“Now for this season, this has to be the year. It’s great that he starts like this. On Monday he couldn’t play, he was not allowed to go into Norway, but today he could play and he played a very good game.”
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