Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire's Man Utd futures decided after Michael Carrick intervention
Manchester United are close to agreeing new contracts with England stars Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire. Both have become key players since Michael Carrick took over in January and the club are acting to tie them down to new deals.
Both Mainoo and Maguire have hugely benefited from Carrick taking over as interim boss, having been pushed aside during Ruben Amorim's time in charge. Mainoo had been pushing to leave for Napoli in the January transfer window, while Maguire was facing an uncertain future, with his contract winding down and other centre-backs preferred.
The England duo have started all nine of Carrick’s games in charge so far, transforming their outlooks and earning call-ups to Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. And United have now decided to sort out their futures before the summer transfer window opens.
The Athletic reports that United are close to reaching agreements with both players over new terms. Mainoo is currently under contract until June 2027, but is one of the lowest earners at the club and is in line for a major boost following solid performances under Carrick. The 20-year-old academy graduate looks set to sign until 2031 on a significantly improved salary.
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Meanwhile, Maguire is poised to pen a new one-year extension, with the option of a further 12 months. The 33-year-old's current deal is due to expire on June 30 and it had previously appeared likely he could be released, alongside veteran midfielder Casemiro.
United have won seven of their nine matches under Carrick's management, with Mainoo and Maguire at the heart of the team. They sit third in the Premier League ahead of Friday night's game against Bournemouth and appear set to earn a place in next season's Champions League.
The club have confirmed they will appoint a permanent successor to Amorim in the summer and with every win Carrick strengthens his position. The fact that United are now handing out contracts to two players who had been frozen out by Amorim perhaps hints towards the hierarchy's feelings towards handing Carrick the role.
United are preparing for a huge summer when they will be busy in the transfer window. Casemiro's exit at the end of his £350,000-a-week contract means they will need to sign at least one top-quality midfielder, while there is also doubt over Manuel Ugarte's future.
They are considering Newcastle pair Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes - who could be tempted to jump ship in order to stay in the Champions League - as well as Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.
United spent over £200million last summer to bring in Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens and know it will take a fee in the region of £80m to land Anderson, who is also being courted by Manchester City.
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