Manchester United’s Summer Business Begins to Take Shape
Things are improving both on and off the field for Manchester United as this summer’s business begins to take shape. Michael Carrick’s fine work as interim manager is starting to pay off and could expedite a couple of key deals. It was almost unthinkable at the start of this year that United would make a comeback to qualify for next term’s Champions League. But under Carrick’s command, the club now sits third in the Premier League ahead of Monday’s comeback fixture against Leeds.
The squad jetted out to Dublin on Monday for the beginning of an intensive week of training across the Irish Sea. All eyes are on Carrick and whether the squad can pick up where it left off prior to the recent break, with almost three weeks having passed since their last game.
But while there’s been a lack of on-field action, the same can’t be said of the club’s off-field activity. Football explores the latest headlines as United home in some very encouraging pieces of business.
United Double Deal Close
Given the improvements witnessed under Carrick in recent months, consolidating power is a necessary next step for the club. As such, it’s emerged that Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are close to penning contract extensions at Old Trafford.
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Tying down Mainoo to fresh terms is a particularly promising development given how the midfielder was frozen out under Ruben Amorim. But after regaining his place with aplomb under Carrick, the club has moved to commit the player on what is supposedly a new five-year contract.
Maguire is also a pressing concern given his contract is set to expire at the end of this season. But transfer insider Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel this weekend that both players are on the verge of inking new deals.
“Manchester United, with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo returning from the national team, are now prepared to accelerate and formally close both new contracts for the players before the World Cup,” he said. “This is the mission, before the end of the season, sign everything.”
“With Kobbie Mainoo 2031 and with Harry Maguire to extend for one season until 2027, plus an option for one more year. The negotiation is already very advanced with Kobbie Mainoo, it is almost done with Harry Maguire, who will sign soon.
“Man United plan to announce everything before the end of the season. This is the club’s wish, now working with the player’s camp, everything is advancing very well.”
Mainoo has been reborn under Carrick and once again looks back to his old self, which is reflected in the calls for him to earn a World Cup 2026 spot. Maguire, meanwhile, has rediscovered his own confidence and looks capable of at least another year in United colours, with reports suggesting he’ll heavily reduce his wages to remain at Old Trafford.
De Bruyne Hails Hojlund Potential
As for players potentially leaving the club, Rasmus Hojlund’s permanent switch to Napoli looks like a formality at this stage. Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna even referred to the move as such in December in light of the Dane’s fine form.
The 23-year-old has netted 14 goals and recorded four assists in 37 games on loan for Napoli so far this season. Consistency is something that continues to elude the player, though it’s clear from the comments made by officials and team-mates that he’s well-respected in Naples.
Manchester City icon Kevin De Bruyne is among those in favour of the forward, it seems. And after recently making his way back into Antonio Conte’s squad following a hamstring injury, the Belgian gave his appraisal of the United loanee.
“He can become a top player, he has great qualities,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “He had a difficult time in Manchester, but now he’s doing very well here. He’s still young; he has a lot of time ahead of him.”
The terms of his loan arrangement mean Napoli are obliged to buy Hojlund outright for £38 million if they qualify for the Champions League. That’s looking highly likely at present, with the club even still in the race to retain the Serie A crown.
It wasn’t long ago Hojlund and De Bruyne found themselves on opposite sides of the Manchester divide. But the latter clearly believes his former adversary has something to offer in a summer move that could add considerable weight to United’s coffers.
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