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Man Utd transfer news: Kobbie Mainoo to Chelsea decision made as contract 'clause' emerges
Daily mirror | January 18, 2026 4:39 PM CST

Manchester United will be feeling good about themselves for the first time in a while after easing past rivals Manchester City 2-0 in Saturday's derby at Old Trafford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu got interim head coach Michael Carrick off to the perfect start.

The Red Devils will now be looking forward to a tough test at Arsenal in a week's time as they chase a top four finish and a guaranteed place in next season's Champions League. United are expected to continue having a quiet January window as they assess who their next permanent head coach will be.

And a place in Europe's elite competition would certainly make Old Trafford a much more attractive destination going into the summer window. Below is a round-up of the latest United transfer news and rumours...

  • Michael Carrick makes first Man Utd transfer decision after multiple rejections
  • Liverpool transfer news: Malick Fofana boost as Marc Guehi stance explained
Mainoo decision

Kobbie Mainoo will reportedly not be leaving Manchester United this month, despite rumoured interest from Chelsea.

The midfielder made his first Premier League start of the season during Saturday's derby win.

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Mainoo was restricted to just 380 minutes of action across all competitions before the game against City. It was widely expected that he would be omitted from England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup as a result of his limited involvement this season.

The United academy graduate was denied the chance to leave Old Trafford on loan last summer - despite significant interest from both Chelsea and Napoli. He was expected to depart the club in January after failing to work his way into Ruben Amorim’s thinking.

However, Amorim's sacking and the arrival of Carrick has changed things2, according to CaughtOffside.

They claim that Mainoo has now decided not to push to leave United before Deadline Day on February 2.

Contract 'clause'

Casemiro can trigger his extra year at Manchester United by starting a certain number of games this season.

The Brazil international is out of contract at the end of this season, although the Reds have an option to extend his deal by an additional 12 months.

The former Real Madrid star is among the highest earners at Old Trafford with a salary of around £300,000-a-week. And according to The Athletic, the midfielder would automatically see his contract extended to 2027, at his current salary, were he to hit the target, believed to be 35 starts in all competitions.

The Brazilian has started 19 times this season, all in the Premier League, so would need to feature in every line-up from now until the end of the campaign, with United only having 16 more games.


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