New Maguire and Mainoo Man Utd deals getting closer

[Getty Images] Manchester United are getting closer to agreeing new contracts with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo. Maguire's current deal is due to expire in the summer and he has been free to talk to rival clubs since January. However, as previously reported by BBC Sport, the 33-year-old's preference has always been to remain at United, while the club have been reluctant to lose Maguire's experience in the same summer as midfielder Casemiro will depart.

Sources say there is still work to do to finalise terms, but it appears a one-year contract, with the option for a further season, is likely to be agreed. Meanwhile, negotiations over a much-improved, long-term deal for Mainoo are also said to be progressing well, with an expectation talks will reach a successful conclusion over a contract likely to run until 2031. That will include a significant increase on the terms Mainoo is currently on, given he last signed a contract in February 2023, just after the 20-year-old made his first-team debut.

If Mainoo had been granted his wish, he would have joined Napoli on loan in either August or at the beginning of January. The Stockport-born academy product was not given a single Premier League start by Ruben Amorim, who felt Mainoo did not suit his preferred system. However, he has started every game since Michael Carrick took charge in January and with relations between player and club thawing, it is welcome news for United fans that Mainoo is willing to commit his future to the club.

Both players were included in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad on Friday morning, the first time either man has been involved under the German.