With a number of players expected to both come and go this summer transfer window, there are some current squad players that the club shouldn’t let go at any cost.
After securing the signing of Matheus Cunha and being close to Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are now set to shift their target to selling players to help fund more of Ruben Amorim’s squad evolution in what is proving to be a key transfer window for the club’s future.
The likes of Victor Lindelöf, Christian Eriksen, and Jonny Evans are all confirmed to be leaving, with a whole host of players also being heavily rumoured with moves away from Old Trafford.
With almost every player seemingly being up for sale, there are, however, several players that should be deemed untouchable this summer, such as captain Bruno Fernandes, who turned down a life-changing offer from Al-Hilal to stay at the club.
One thing that Amorim needs at United is depth, and with the club working on a tight budget this summer, he must be precise about who he deems necessary to keep. Kobbie Mainoo has been revealed as a player whose future seems to be up in the air.
Mainoo needs to stay at Old Trafford
United are seemingly looking to focus on strengthening the attacking third, with United being close to signing Mbeumo and setting their sights on Viktor Gyökeres
Former United centre-back, Gary Pallister however, believes that midfield is where the club should focus, as well as highlighting the need to keep Mainoo at all costs. The 20-year-old looks set to have a more important role going into next season, with Amorim set to use him as one of the no.10s.
Speaking to , he said: “Mainoo had a terrific debut season and it’s been a struggle with injuries since then and trying to live up to how he started. There is more to come from him, but the team does need cover in those areas.”
With United working on a tight budget this summer, it’s vital that United have a set strategy, and buy players that suit Amorim’s system, and have the right mentality to put the club in a better place going into next season.
Mainoo’s future depends on his contract extension
There is little doubt surrounding Mainoo’s talent, with the young midfielder establishing himself as a United and England regular before turning 20 years old.
However, aside from United’s current financial issues, Mainoo’s future is also in doubt because of a lack of progress regarding his contract.
The Englishman currently earns around £30,000 a week at United. Still, he is reportedly asking for a new weekly wage of around £150,000-180,000 to continue at Old Trafford, which United have so far been unwilling to match.
United are said to see Amad’s new contract of around £100,000 a week as a benchmark for what they feel Mainoo’s next contract should be.
There have also been reports that contract talks are slowly progressing, with hope that a compromise can be reached. Mainoo’s primary demand is reportedly that he wants to know where his future lies within Amorim’s current system.
However, with the player entering into the penultimate season of his current contract, there is a slight worry that if a new one is not sorted this summer, United may need to cash in on the player to make sure they can receive money for him before his value starts to drop dramatically.
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