Koby Mainu has agreed to sign a new contract for Manchester United.
The 21-year-old was given a path back into the starting XI by interim head coach Michael Carrick and enjoyed an excellent second half of the season in a Reds shirt. Indeed, Mainu has been a near-constant presence at United since Carrick returned to Old Trafford, missing just one of the last 13 games, and that was due to a minor injury.
He formed a strong midfield partnership with Casemiro, contributing to United’s record of nine wins and two draws, which lifted the club to third place in the Premier League standings. The Reds’ 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday left them 11 points behind sixth-placed Brighton in the race for next season’s Champions League qualification.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, Mainu’s recent form is expected to reward him with a new contract. It has been reported that the England international has “agreed to all terms and conditions” on a contract until June 2031.
Mainu is due for a pay rise, with United poised to formalize the increase by the end of the 2025/26 season. It is also said that the midfielder could sign a contract within the next few days.
He is set to become the latest United player to commit to a long-term future at the club, after Harry Maguire signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months in April.
Mainu was outstanding in Monday’s win over Brentford, with Carrick praising him after the game. “I thought back to the game against Chelsea, where he was particularly good and showed similar things in all aspects,” Carrick told a press conference.
“His build-up play, winning the ball, creating and starting attacks, he’s very effective in that regard. But definitely his dueling, his one-on-ones, his recovery runs, his back tackling, he’s elevated it in the last two games.”
“It’s great what he can do. We know what he can do. We’re trying to give him more responsibility as the game progresses. We still don’t expect much from him and we’re trying to understand and help him a little bit, but at the moment he’s in great shape.”
Mainoo and United next play at home to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. If the Reds win, they will be guaranteed a place in the Champions League for the 2026/27 season.
