Manchester United are set to resume contract negotiations with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after confirming Casemiro’s exit from the club.

Interim manager Michael Carrick has reintegrated Mainoo into the team, leading to the cancellation of his proposed loan move to Napoli.

Although Mainoo had reached a contract agreement last year, it was left unsigned by former coach Ruben Amorim.

Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford had been uncertain under Amorim, who started him in only one match this season, a Carabao Cup fixture against Grimsby Town, prior to Amorim’s dismissal.

The media frequently questioned Amorim about Mainoo’s limited playing time, while the young star’s brother, Jordan Mainoo-Hames, was seen at Old Trafford in December wearing a shirt that read “Free Kobbie Mainoo,” highlighting the growing concern over his lack of involvement.

Manchester United are set to re-open talks with Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract

He has 18 months remaining on his contract but his wages are not on parity with team-mates

Carrick played Mainoo on the left of his midfield three in last weekend’s 2-0 win against Manchester City, alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

United’s new head coach has long been effusive in his praise of Mainoo. Speaking to former team–mate Rio Ferdinand last September, Carrick even suggested the club should ‘build around’ the academy graduate.

‘For a club to have a player that’s come through the academy and knows it, Man United’s got to have an element of that. Always has done, always should do,’ Carrick said.

‘To have a talent like that, as he’s shown already, you’ve got to have players like that. They get it, they know it, let’s build around them. There’s definitely a place for him (Mainoo) there for sure.’

Asked by Ferdinand where he would play Mainoo in United’s team, Carrick said at the time: ‘He’s more of an attacker. I don’t see him as a holding midfielder. He’s that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom.

‘He can defend the higher line but I think that bit deeper, around the centre–backs, that’s a bit of a different thing completely. I see him playing that little bit higher and creating. 

‘I think he’s got a massive future. I really like him, he just needs that patience and a little bit of a break again.’

Against City, however, Carrick deployed Mainoo in a slightly deeper role. And while he failed to register a key attacking pass from his 32 completed, the midfielder showcased the combative side of his game, recording an impressive 77 pressures as United imposed their game on Pep Guardiola’s men.

Mainoo was pushing for a move after having his minutes reduced under Ruben Amorim

Casemiro has announced that he will be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season

The development with Mainoo’s future comes after Casemiro announced on Thursday afternoon that he will be leaving United at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Brazilian’s contract is due to expire at the end of the current campaign and while there was a club option to trigger a further year, Daily Mail Sport understands that Casemiro personally requested for United to clarify his future to supporters.

United have been preparing for some time for a major midfield overhaul which could see as many as four new faces come the summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba their two top targets.

By announcing ahead of this weekend’s trip to Arsenal, it is believed that both Casemiro’s team and United can get a head start on planning for the future, as well as removing ambiguity and speculation around what comes next.

LA Galaxy are among the clubs who have shown interest in him as well others from MLS, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Ahead of the World Cup this summer, several MLS franchises are exploring who is available in Europe, particularly on free transfers, who can continue to raise the league’s profile, help the game grow at grassroots level and commercially attract more revenue.