Manchester United have reportedly devised a strategy to sell young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo to a club outside of England if ongoing contract negotiations fail to reach an agreement.
Mainoo’s current deal runs until June 2027, but with talks over an extension dragging on, the club is prepared to cash in on the 19-year-old talent this summer. Selling Mainoo to a foreign club would not only help United avoid strengthening domestic rivals but also generate significant revenue due to his homegrown status.
Reports suggest that new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is implementing strict cost-cutting measures to address the club’s financial struggles. With Manchester United enduring a disappointing season under Ruben Amorim, who has won just five of his 17 Premier League games in charge, the club is expected to adopt a sell-to-buy policy in the upcoming transfer window.
Mainoo’s potential departure could provide Amorim with much-needed funds to reshape the squad. Given the club’s poor form and current 14th-place position in the Premier League, the Portuguese manager will need reinforcements to turn things around next season.
Selling Mainoo would be financially beneficial for United, as his status as an academy graduate would be counted as “pure profit” under Premier League financial regulations. This would help the club comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules more effectively than offloading high-profile signings like Antony.
However, United fans are growing increasingly concerned about the club’s future, with other young stars like Alejandro Garnacho also being linked with exits. The idea of selling promising talents to fund a rebuild has raised questions about the club’s long-term strategy and ambition.
Amorim, who failed to make significant additions in the January transfer window apart from signing wing-back Patrick Dorgu, is already under pressure. Losing key young players like Mainoo could make the 2025-26 campaign even more challenging for the under-fire manager.
Whether United can convince Mainoo to commit his future to Old Trafford remains uncertain, but if talks continue to stall, the club appears ready to prioritize financial gain over retaining one of their brightest young talents.