Manchester United will listen to offers for Mainoo, Garnacho and Højlund
Manchester United will listen to serious offers for any of Ruben Amorim’s squad, including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, who were previously deemed untouchable.
United are not actively seeking to offload the trio but there is recognition from Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the club have been poor sellers. With finance limited because of profitability and sustainability rules, sales have to become a key part of healthy squad management.
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This means a credible bid for Mainoo, Garnacho or Højlund will be countenanced, along with offers for any other player, including last summer’s recruits, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee.
Under Erik ten Hag, Amorim’s predecessor, Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund were considered non-sellable. All are still viewed as key squad members so although an offer would be listened to a sale would not necessarily be approved.
United’s lack of funds means Mainoo and Garnacho, as homegrown players, would represent 100% profit under PSR. The squad is in transition as Amorim, who took over in October, seeks to fully implement his 3-4-3 system and make signings suited to this.
Mainoo has been discussed at Chelsea, who have not ruled out moving for him, but their interest is yet to advance. The London club’s focus is on defensive additions, and they hope they can buy back Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace.
Mainoo’s contract was signed in February 2023 and is reported to be worth £20,000 a week, so the midfielder’s representatives may hope to leverage any interest to negotiate a lucrative new deal. Mainoo scored the winner in last season’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and became a first choice for England at Euro 2024, where he started the last four games, including the final.
Casemiro, one of United’s highest-paid players, is being monitored by Saudi Arabian clubs but there is not thought to have been a firm offer. The Brazilian, who is 33 next month, has a contract to 2026.
