Along with Mainoo: Unexpected Man Utd man now ‘in the frame’ for new contract after impressing INEOS

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·24. Januar 2026

Along with Mainoo: Unexpected Man Utd man now ‘in the frame’ for new contract after impressing INEOS

Manchester United are contemplating new contracts for both Kobbie Mainoo and Tom Heaton this year.

Despite not featuring for the club since February 2023, the latter is now, according to The Telegraph, ‘in the frame for an extension’.

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Tom Heaton: The state of play

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

While it’s still highly unlikely he’ll play for the first team again, Heaton’s influence behind the scenes is seen as integral to the goalkeeping unit, and United are unwilling to lose him at Carrington anytime soon.

He ranks third in the pecking order of shot-stoppers behind first-choice Senne Lammens and Altay Bayindir. This season, the 39-year-old has made the matchday squad on five occasions across all competitions.

United ready to advance in Mainoo negotiations

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, United have reopened talks with Mainoo in hopes of tying him down to a long-term deal following the confirmation of Casemiro’s summer departure.

The Brazilian veteran announced on Thursday that he would be leaving Old Trafford upon the expiry of his contract in June, having decided now was the right time to pull the curtains on his Red Devils tenure after four years.

Mainoo, 20, is now expected to play a vital role at United moving forward into a new managerial era, having just been granted his first Premier League start of 2025/2026 in Michael Carrick’s first game as interim boss.

Currently, his terms run until 2027, with the club then having the option of extending his stay by an additional 12 months.

The homegrown Red worked his way through the academy ranks to then oversee a meteoric breakthrough in 2023/2024 – a campaign which culminated with him scoring in the FA Cup final before lifting his first senior trophy with his boyhood club.

In total, Mainoo has featured 87 times for the Reds, scoring seven goals and assisting a further three.