Manchester United to 'open talks' with Kobbie Mainoo over new contract

England international had struggled for minutes under Ruben Amorim

Manchester United are preparing to begin negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract.

The Red Devils announced earlier on Thursday that Casemiro would be leaving the club at the end of the season when his current deal expires.

Now, Sky Sports report that they are looking to tie down one of their young stars, who has struggled for game time this term.

The broadcaster reports that United have made contact with Mainoo’s representatives to begin discussions, to bring him in line with his team-mates in terms of salary.

The youngster is believed to be on one of the lowest pay packets in United’s first-team squad.

Mainoo was limited to just one start under Ruben Amorim before the Portuguese was sacked this month, and he requested a loan exit out of Old Trafford earlier in the season.

That request was turned down by the club, but since Amorim’s departure, Mainoo has been reintegrated back into the picture, starting United’s last two fixtures.

He started just his second game of the campaign in the 2-1 home defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Cup, with that match the last that Darren Fletcher oversaw in his interim stint in charge.

Since then, Michael Carrick has been appointed as the club’s head coach until the end of the season, and the former United midfielder selected Mainoo to partner Casemiro in the Manchester derby last weekend.

The 20-year-old starred in midfield in United’s 2-0 win, with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu earning Carrick a huge three points on his second bow as United’s caretaker manager.