SIGN OF THE TIMES
Man Utd ‘are struggling to tie Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo down to new contracts’
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been criticised for recent cost-cutting
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly struggling to negotiate new deals with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The pair are among the lowest earners at Old Trafford, despite Garnacho penning a fresh contract in the summer of 2023.
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Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trimming budgets across the club as they look to fall within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Friday that the cost-cutting exercise even extends to a charity helping out former players.
According to the , United are "struggling to reach agreements" with both Mainoo and Garnacho.
Mainoo, 19, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since making his debut for the Red Devils last year.
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He is now an England regular, with reports earlier this season suggesting he was set for a new contract as a "priority."
Mainoo's current deal runs until 2027 with an option for an extra year and sees him pocket £20,000 a week.
The Stockport native signed the contract in early 2023, before breaking through into the first team.
Garnacho meanwhile was rewarded with a five-year deal last year, which saw his pay skyrocket to £50,000 per week.
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Despite his wage increase, the 20-year-old's pay packet pales in comparison to top-earners Casemiro (£375k) and Bruno Fernandes (£325k).
The Argentine has been sparingly used since the arrival of new boss Ruben Amorim.
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim says he has no disciplinary issues with Rashford and Garnacho
After a breakthrough season in 2023, he has scored just three times in 17 games so far this term.
The report also claims the Red Devils are in the market for a "new striker, midfielder and cover at goalkeeper."
United replaced Erik ten Hag with Amorim in early November, but the Portuguese boss has endured a dismal start to life in England.
The 39-year-old has already ruled out a European finish.
And he was even forced to fend off questions about relegation after a 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day.
Man Utd ratings vs Wolves
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United's struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes' red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal - his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods - at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch - Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United - but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5
Amorim said: "We just have to survive and to win sometimes, to work on the team.
"We have tough games and it’s a long journey. Like I said on the first day, we have to continue and we have to fight the bad moments because this is part of football.
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"When you don’t have the results, it is even harder for them to believe.”
Asked about European qualification, Amorim responded: "No, no, no, no."
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