Youngster Mainoo could be on his way out of United after news broke that he is going to reject a new offer from the club and look to play abroad.
The Guardian Sport are saying that "Kobbie Mainoo is planning on rejecting #mufc's new contract offer and seek a move abroad. United could be open to selling him, with his valuation at around £70 million" - via The United Stand.
They add that the player's representatives would like him to receive a salary that is "a fair reflection of his role in the squad." While the club still feel that Mainoo will accept the new deal, there is "no agreement" reached.
Mainoo is injured at the moment after being ruled out due some muscle issues he felt during training on Valentine's weekend. He has missed 8 games since then.
This is also his second injury this season after missing 26 days and 7 matches from October to November. Last season, he also had a big problem as he missed almost 100 days and 21 games for club and country with an ankle injury.
Mainoo has featured in 24 out of a possible 41 matches for United this season. He's also only had 1 goal and 1 assist in his time on the field so far.
Final Thoughts
When looking at those stats, his age of 19 and the fact that he is a little bit injury prone despite a young age, does he warrant that rumored £180k-a-week wage?
Absolutely not!
I like Mainoo, I think we all do. We know the potential he has as he's displayed it countless time for United and England but that sort of money for this sort of player, not for me.
In a way, I don't actually blame him for wanting a pay raise because when looking at the wages given to some of the current squad, we'd all be asking for more. Half of those players don't even play or can't even keep themselves fit nor do they possess the talent and potential of Mainoo.
I understand wanting to go from £20k to something more apt for a player like him but that is an increase of almost 10x.
This is a club problem because they gave out stupid wages in the first place which is why something like this is happening. I thought that with INEOS we would be moving away from this and while they've only signed Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven who earn a combined £44k-a-week (capology), those are decent wages for those players.
However, on the other hand, they did oversee Bruno's pay rise to £300k-a-week which wasn't something that I agreed with as while he was and still is important and United's best player, that was much too much and he was already earning around the £200-250k mark.
We give out ridiculous wages and end up having problems like this one with Mainoo.
What I will say about Mainoo rejecting a new deal and perhaps moving because of it, go then. We cannot be having players like this who sort of hold the club to ransom.
It's also not as if Mainoo is a guaranteed first team player as while we would prefer him in the side over others, he is not someone so important like a Bruno whom we need all the time. Mainoo has been inconsistent and underperforming this year on top of being a bit injury prone.
We don't actually know what his best role in the team is and because of all this, £180k is too much. Does he need a rise from £20k-a-week? 100% but almost 10x that is pushing it a little.
I would say somewhere more in the region of £100k is something that is suitable for a 19-year-old still making his way into the first team.
There's no doubt that there will be clubs looking to sign a player of his age and quality, and for the reported £70m, I would say that that is a fair amount.
Knowing United, who need to sell to buy and were apparently looking to sell Mainoo and Garnacho in the winter window, probably wouldn't mind this from the player and wanting to move abroad. It gives them that opportunity to let go off an asset that will bring them the money they want whilst looking good because they will say that he rejected a deal and there was no more to be done. He is also a player at the moment, who doesn't seem to be suiting Amorim's system giving more reason to let him go.
It's very difficult because he is the exact type of player we should NOT be moving on considering he is what this club is all about. United also have to look at themselves for giving the players this power to put the club in a sticky wicket.
The flip side is that do we want players like this who have this sort of power even if it is one that we like?
Very difficult situation with Mainoo and United.
How are you feeling about this?
Background Image: Kobbie Mainoo potentially leaving Man Utd | Creator: James Gill - Danehouse | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 James Gill - Danehouse via SuperSport