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Bayern Munich set to join Chelsea in Kobbie Mainoo transfer race as Man Utd star demands new £200k-a-week deal
Mainoo is currently Man Utd's lowest-earning first team star
BAYERN MUNICH are set to join the race for Kobbie Mainoo, SunSport can reveal.
The Manchester United midfielder could be on his way out of Old Trafford if the club are unable to afford his wage demands.
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Mainoo - whose current £20,000-a-week contract expires in 2027 - is hoping for a fresh deal worth £200,000-a-week.
But United are believed to be reluctant to go that high - which has led to reports Mainoo could leave the club either during this window or over the summer.
Chelsea are at the front of the queue for the midfielder, but SunSport has learned that the London club will not be the only side chasing him.
German giants Bayern are also long-term admirers and are planning to make a move if he becomes available.
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It comes days after Ruben Amorim challenged Mainoo to show he deserves to join Man Utd’s high earners.
Despite Mainoo’s meteoric rise, the England star is one of their lowest earners and wants a ten-fold increase on his salary.
Amorim knows the 19-year-old midfielder is a jewel in the Old Trafford crown.
Yet the United chief insists Mainoo still needs plenty of polishing and said: “Kobbie has been improving a lot over the last few matches.
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“But I think you guys feel like he is the finished product — he is not.
“He is really good but can be so much better. He has so much potential to grow up even more.”
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It has been an amazing 18 months for Mainoo, who is currently earning £20k-a-week.
He missed the start of last season with an injury sustained on the summer tour, but after joining the first-team in November and making a huge impact he soon became a regular.
Mainoo ended an epic breakout campaign with the deciding goal as star man in United’s FA Cup final win over City.
He also impressed in United’s last two games, the impressive draw at Anfield against Liverpool and the FA Cup win over Arsenal at the Emirates.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as Maguire and Co dig deep to win after Dalot's moment of madness
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a heroic effort to squeeze past Arsenal and into the FA Cup's fourth round on penalties.
The Red Devils were forced to dig deep at the Emirates following Diogo Dalot's 61st minute red card.
On a freezing cold afternoon in North London, SunSport's Kealan Hughes rates and slates each United performer…
ALTAY BAYINDIR - 8
Poor punch up in the air which allowed the ball to fall nicely for Gabriel to finish.
Redeemed himself with a brilliant penalty save to keep the score level, before superbly denying Declan Rice twice.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI - 7
Was assured on and off the ball if unspectacular. Got his body on the line as the Gunners pushed for a winner.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT - 8
Solid in defence and kept the backline well organised. Produced the best tackle of the match on the goalline to deny Leandro Trossard a certain goal.
HARRY MAGUIRE - 8
Commanding in the air and made several key blocks but gave away the penalty which Arsenal missed to go in front.
Got away with an earlier error as he failed to clear - the ball landed at Kai Havertz's feet but he somehow skewed wide with his effort.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ - 7
Had to be on high alert to deal with the movement of Arsenal forwards but it was a task he managed well.
DIOGO DALOT - 3
Booked for a mistimed lunge on Lewis-Skelly. He followed that up with another silly, late foul on Merino with the ball about to go out of play for his second yellow. Stupid red card.
MANUEL UGARTE - 7
A firefighter all across the pitch for his side, although spent most of the match in his own half given Arsenal's dominance.
Was booked for one foul too many just before the hour mark and was lucky to escape a red card as he went head-to-head with Havertz after the penalty incident.
KOBBIE MAINOO - 6
Lively in the middle and kept a close eye on Jorginho. Looked sharp on the ball and showed some clever touches.
Should have done better to head clear before Gabriel's equaliser.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO - 7
Always an outlet on the counter which was much needed for the Red Devils.
Made the most of a Gabriel error to burst in on goal and pass across to Fernandes to score.
BRUNO FERNANDES - 7
Was booked for throwing a trademark tantrum after claiming he was fouled on the edge of the box when lining up a shot.
Showed his class with a brilliant first-time finish which he bent around a defender into the far corner.
RASMUS HOJLUND - 3
Failed to provide the focal point that United badly needed, which meant almost every pass forward was dealt with by the Arsenal centre-halves. Was fortunate there was no VAR to take a look at his apparent elbow on William Saliba, which left the Arsenal star bloodied.
SUBSTITUTES
Amad (for Garnacho, 80mins) - 6
Lively on the counter too but just lacking a bit of quality - though was outnumbered every time he got the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 80mins) - 6
Some very clever touches when he came on and provided a presence up front at a time United badly needed it.
Toby Collyer (for Mainoo, 80mins) - 5
Showed plenty of energy but was missing quality in some areas.
Tyrell Malacia (for Ugarte, extra-time) - 6
Stuck to his task well.
Leno Yoro (for Maguire, 104) - 6
Did his job well during the closing stages of the match. Converted his penalty in the shoot-out with aplomb.