Manchester United are close to agreeing terms with both Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo over new, extended contracts at Old Trafford.
Both players were called up to , announced on Friday.
Well-placed sources have told Your Site News that negotiations with each player are at an advanced stage, although there is no verbal agreement yet, and more discussions are still to be had. Both sides are hopeful the paperwork could be signed within the next month.
Mainoo's new deal, it is understood, includes a significant pay rise. His current contract was signed in 2023 when he was 17 and United are keen for his new agreement to better reflect his progression in the last few seasons and his current status within the first team. The current proposal is for a five-year deal to run until 2031.
Maguire is 33 years old. His current contract expires at the end of this season, and as one of United's highest-paid players, it hasn't yet been decided what his new salary will be or how much of it will be performance-related.
But both Maguire and the club are keen for him to remain at Old Trafford, where he has had a significant resurgence in form under Michael Carrick. A year's extension with an option of a further year is being discussed.
The news for both Mainoo and Maguire signals a major turnaround for their fortunes at Old Trafford. Neither man was in previous head coach Ruben Amorim's plans, and at the turn of the year, their mutual futures looked certain to be elsewhere.
Since Carrick took over, both players have featured in each of the nine Premier League matches on United's fixture list, and both have become among the first names on the team sheet.
Carrick was full of praise for both players after , in which Maguire was sent off.
He said: "Contract negotiations with players are always ongoing, so you hope whatever it is gets done in the right way. Both have been great, and being back in the England squad is what they deserve. I'm not getting involved on how close things are, but they've both done great."
Analysis by Your Site' William Bitibiri:
At opposing ends of their international careers, recalls for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire offer Thomas Tuchel some much-needed options. They earned their last caps in a Nations League clash win over Ireland in September 2024.
Having both played an integral part of Manchester United's resurgence under Michael Carrick, the duo are playing their best football for some time as the World Cup draws near.
Maguire will be drawing on his 60-plus caps worth of his experience as he retakes his role among England's leadership contingent.
There has been work to replace his presence at the back with Marc Guehi performing as a worthy heir during the Euros in 2024.
However, a recent renaissance makes it appropriate for Maguire, who has never underperformed for his nation, to return as an option in central defence at the very least.
Mainoo, meanwhile, returns with eyes on taking back his midfield spot, with just 10 caps to his name. It was a spot he earned at the Euros, starting each of England's knockout stage fixtures, including the final against Spain.
His absence due to being cast into the fringes by Ruben Amorim offered the chance for emerging competition to fill the role and fill it well.
Battling away with Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Jordan Henderson to make up a midfield with Rice and whichever No 10 - Mainoo's challenge is clear.
