Chelsea want Kobbie Mainoo! Blues 'lead chase' for Man Utd sensation with details behind stunning transfer saga revealed

After The Athletic's David Ornstein said there is 'no news' on a new United deal for Mainoo on Sunday, the Daily Mail have stated Chelsea are at the front of the queue in trying to recruit the England international if he leaves Old Trafford. They would, however, face stiff competition should bidding begin.

Ornstein was asked to speak about the likelihood of United star Marcus Rashford leaving the club, before issuing an update on Mainoo's contract situation - with his current terms running until 2027.

He said on NBC on Sunday: "If a departure is going to happen [for Rashford], a sale in particular, maybe it’s more likely in the summer, but it would represent pure profit, something we hear about so much, because he was an academy graduate. In the same way that Kobbie Mainoo might be, he’s out of contract in 2027 – no news on a new deal. Alejandro Garnacho too, I don’t think anybody in that bracket is off the table."

Despite this update, United are in a strong position when it comes to the 19-year-old as he still has more than two years left on his contract and the Red Devils have an option to extend it by a further 12 months. Keeping hold of a young talent such as him will be important to United's short and long-term future, both when it comes to retaining top talent and encouraging others to join him at the Premier League giants.

Aside from contract talk and transfer rumours, Mainoo could feature for United on Sunday away to Arsenal as they start their FA Cup title defence in the third round.