Man Utd facing uncomfortable risk of summer turmoil as doubts emerge over Michael Carrick favourite

Manchester United are still in risk of losing one of their brightest stars this summer despite his resurgence in form under Michael Carrick.

Carrick has overseen a turnaround at Old Trafford since Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January, with the club having won five of their six games under the interim boss to go to fourth in the Premier League table.

Part of the revival has come from the switch to a back-four, which has led to more balance in midfield, particularly with the reintegration of Kobbie Mainoo to the United team.

Mainoo hadn’t started a Premier League match this season before Carrick’s arrival but the 20-year-old has since played every minute of every match under the new boss and looks a revitalised figure after a difficult time in the Amorim era.

However, The Sun report that United have yet to re-open contract talks with Mainoo despite his current deal expiring in 2027, although the club have an option to extend it for another year.

With Mainoo having potentially been a candidate to be sold after rejecting United’s first offer last year, the club ‘fully intend’ to agree fresh terms with the youngster in the coming months to avoid a delicate situation spiralling out of control.

Mainoo wins Amorim battle to take control of Man Utd future

Mainoo enjoyed a breakout campaign under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 season but he rarely saw the field under Amorim, with the Portuguese coach preferring Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his two-man partnership.

The lack of minutes saw Mainoo ask to leave United on loan in the summer but the request was denied and it appeared that the club would be forced to consider his sale due to his contractual situation.

However, Mainoo has been reluctant to leave permanently and believed that he would get into the first team eventually – something which has been immediately proven after Amorim’s sacking.

It is expected that Mainoo will be open to contract talks despite initially wanting to explore his options, having initially turned down an extension in January last year.

But, should there be a further impasse in talks, Mainoo could be sold this summer to maximise his value as an academy graduate and avoid the England international running down his contract.

Football transfer news headlines today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Klopp issues €150m Real Madrid demand as Liverpool prepare for big change

Fabrizio Romano: Van de Ven to Man Utd, Tchouameni to Chelsea, Barcelona’s dream signing

Why Arsenal would be CRAZY to sell club captain Martin Odegaard

Liverpool star Florian Wirtz’s agent reignites Real Madrid transfer rumours

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store