Manchester United supporters can breathe a sigh of relief and start the end-of-season celebrations early, as Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new deal with the club, extending his contract until 2031.
A big win for the Red Devils and their fans.
In fact, many will argue it’s great news for England too, as the promising young Man United midfielder’s place in the national team also looked to be in jeopardy earlier this season.
Having gone from struggling for game time to now having started all but one of the current interim manager, Michael Carrick’s, Premier League games, it’s been quite the turnaround for the newly re-committed first-team star.
After transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano broke the news early on Tuesday, 28 April, Man United has now officially announced Kobbie Mainoo‘s eagerly anticipated contract extension.
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Mainoo’s existing terms would have seen his deal run out next summer before the start of the 2027/28 season, but now, a fresh five-year deal could see him stay at Old Trafford until at least the start of the next decade.
Having recently turned 21 and having enjoyed a real revival under Carrick, it’s less of a comeback for Kobbie or even a return to form – he simply needed way more minutes.
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The Stockport-born United and Three Lions prospect was said to be on the verge of leaving the club under previous boss Ruben Amorim’s tenure – and not necessarily just on loan, either.
Romano stated that Napoli were one of many suitors who looked odds-on to sign Mainoo on at least a temporary deal this past winter.
Several clubs around Europe were heavily interested in signing Carrington youth academy graduate when it looked as though INEOS were determined to back Amorim, meaning the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would have missed out on that mazy run against Brentford, and who knows what else in the future…
Most Reds would surely have been left hugely disappointed were this to have happened, especially given how long the Portuguese head coach ended up staying at the club.
However close they got heading into the January transfer window, the prior head coach’s departure meant that Mainoo was given another chance at a dream career for his boyhood club, and he has been very impressive ever since he started getting first-team football again.
It also goes without saying that regular playing time is great news for Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as the youngster has looked more than capable of playing in major finals, including the most recent Euros, where he helped give England the lift in midfield that was needed that tournament.
Speaking in an official club statement, Kobbie said: “Manchester United has always been my home; this special club means everything to my family. I have grown up seeing the impact that our club has on our city, and I relish the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.
“From The Cliff, to Littleton Road, to Carrington and ultimately Old Trafford, the journey so far has been incredible. I have the privilege of living my dream every single day, with the same relentless desire to succeed here as when I joined my first training session at the age of six.”
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“We can all feel the momentum building inside the club. I am determined to step up and play my role in helping Manchester United to regularly fight for major trophies in the years ahead.” Happy, United fans?
Manchester Metropolitan University announce landmark partnership with MCR Basketball
Danny Jones
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Basketball have detailed a renewed and landmark partnership that looks set to nurture the next generation of talent.
Joining forces with MMU, this is not only the latest effort by MCR Basketball to further invest in young players and grassroots sports here in Manchester, but yet another example of further education creating viable routes into the game for their sporting stars of the future.
While the two organisations already boast an established relationship, this next step in their continued teamwork should prove even more fruitful for both parties, as the still only recently relaunched local basketball side looks to raise its profile in the city.
Confirming their intent to further intertwine their youth development setup and plans to innovate pathways for players, representatives from both met to confirm the announcement this week.
🤝 New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent. @ManMetUni & Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent. #RepTheCity
With existing coaching staff already working between the two and both of the male and female training camps based over at Platt Lane Sports Complex, it only feels like a natural fit.
Moreover, this increased collaboration between the two is also a promising prospect for MMU Sport, specifically, meaning much more than just the sharing of facilities at the likes of Platt Lane over in Fallowfield and the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
As well as pooled resources, this will also crucially create potential opportunities for those at the uni or preparing to graduate, including student internships and more.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said in an official statement: “As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
“This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students.
Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
Man Met are looking pitch-perfect for the region’s leading ‘college ball’ feeder club, to use more American terminology, already.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, MMU’s Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, went on to say: “Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe.”
For example, as well as the Super League Finals having been held at the AO Arena, the city is also most notably hosting a regular season NBA fixture at Co-op Live – a historic moment, to say the least.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students”, she adds, “supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond.”
In other MMU Sport-related news, their very own ‘Visiting Professor’, who has only just retired from the professional circuit, is also set to fly the flag for the institution and disabled athletes across the country.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Basketball/Peter Simmons)
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Pep Guardiola in talks over first international management role
Danny Jones
Football icon and Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola is reportedly set for his first job since leaving the Etihad Stadium, as the Catalan head coach looks like he could be set to make his move into international management.
The generational manager, who has undoubtedly become one of, if not the greatest of all time, left Man City at the end of last season after a decade in East Manchester.
Stepping away from the sky blue side with 20 trophies in 10 years, he’s won pretty much everything there is to win – at least at club level, anyway.
With that in mind, multiple outlets are now claiming that Guardiola is getting ready to make his debut on the international circuit, already being heavily linked with a role as part of ‘gli Azzurri’.
EXCLUSIVE: The FIGC has met with Pep Guardiola to convince him to take over as national team head coach, according to Sky in Italy 🚨🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/qmzjunjur4
Yes, as per Sky News’ sporting arm over in Italy, Pep is now rumoured to be the next person to take the job in their national team, which would be his first proper senior position in international football.
According to Sky, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have already held meetings with the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City boss.
It remains unclear how advanced talks and/or negotiations have progressed up to this point, but it is said that fellow footballing veteran and AC Milan legend turned FIGC technical director, Paolo Maldini, has already travelled to meet the 55-year-old.
Believed to have been joined by former teammate and right-hand man Leonardo Araújo – who previously served as director at PSG – it looks to be more a case of whether Pep wants the job rather than if Italy want him.
From announcing a documentary series covering his final season at Man City, to even launching a dedicated ‘Decade of Pep’ fashion collection, it’s fair to say that both the club and the fan base are bidding a bittersweet goodbye.
Pep has already made it clear that he can’t see himself ever managing the Spanish national team, remarking: “I am a Catalan. I don’t see myself ever managing Spain.”
Meanwhile, other names rumoured as options for the Italian manager’s job include Andrea Pirlo and a return by fellow ex-MCFC boss, Roberto Mancini. Can you see Pep pipping any of these to the post?
As for his former club and ‘second home’, Cityzens will be glad to hear that while it may be all change over at the Etihad Campus, there is plenty to be hopeful about – including some steps more in the right direction when it comes to tickets.
Danny Jones -
30th April 2026 
