Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United until 2031, ending months of uncertainty about his future at the club.

The England midfielder’s previous deal was expected to run until 2027, with an option for an extra year. However, questions over his future increased earlier this season after he struggled for regular playing time under former manager Ruben Amorim.

Mainoo, who came through United’s academy system, had reportedly pushed for a loan move to SSC Napoli during the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order.

But Manchester United rejected the request and made it clear that the club still valued the 21-year-old midfielder and wanted him to remain at Old Trafford.

Things have changed since Amorim left the club in January. Under interim manager Michael Carrick, Mainoo has become a regular starter again, featuring in almost every league match apart from the defeat to Leeds United, which he missed through injury.

Speaking after signing the new contract, Mainoo expressed his happiness at staying with the club where he started his football journey as a child.

“Manchester United has always been my home; this special club means everything to my family,” Mainoo said.

“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.”

“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.”

Mainoo’s improved form at club level has also helped him return to the England national team. He recently featured in friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan, earning his first international appearance since September 2024.

Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox praised the midfielder after the contract announcement.

“Kobbie is one of the most naturally gifted young footballers in the world,” Wilcox said.

“His technical ability, dedicated professionalism and humble personality make him the perfect role model for our young players and a true credit to our outstanding Academy system.”

“We are delighted that Kobbie has extended his stay here and have full confidence that he will develop into one of the best players in the world.”

WWE officially booked Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Backlash PLE in Tampa, Florida. The Samoan Werewolf was shockingly the first challenger to the new champ after WrestleMania 42.

After a few weeks of back-and-forth and warnings both ways from the Usos, the two traded hands before Reigns accepted the challenge less than two weeks before the event.

The Tribal Chief just recently captured the title by defeating CM Punk on April 19. His fans are happy he’s back on top again, even after his four-year run a few years ago.

While officials probably want a long and convoluted title reign for The Head of the Table, having Jacob Fatu win at Backlash could be the jolt WWE needs in 2026. Fatu should beat Reigns at Backlash for the next five reasons.

#5. Bucking the status quo with Tribal Chief as champion

The status quo is a hard rock to crack in WWE. This means that while a few different names move in and out of the picture every now and then, the same four or five names rotate in and out as champions.

Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton have either held titles over the last two years or challenged for them more than a few times.

Even though he wasn’t in the picture the last two years, the win comes after a four-year stranglehold atop WWE. Everyone other than Rhodes fell to the Tribal Chief during that time. Jey Uso and Damian Priest had runs but fell back into the crowd.

Jacob Fatu is yet to get his one-on-one shot, and beating The Tribal Chief would buck the status quo. Part of WWE’s issue is refusing to crown fan favorites when they’re hot. They missed the boat or just don’t want to give LA Knight or Sami Zayn major title runs for some reason.

#4. A huge surprise for the fans

Debuts, returns, and heel/face turns can provide the WWE Universe with welcome surprises. If those are executed well, then it should create a memorable moment that will last forever for the fans and the stars involved.

The title just changed hands at WrestleMania after two former champions did battle. Both already had championship runs in the past, so while it was a good moment for fans of Reigns, it wasn’t something that hadn’t been seen before.

When it comes to The Samoan Werewolf, he’s only captured the United States Championship. He also held tag team gold until Solo Sikoa forced him to relinquish it for the group.

Having someone who’s never won a major title defeat someone who’s always been favored by WWE officials would be a shocking moment. AEW did this with MJF and Darby Allin.

While it was polarizing, some fans have loved every moment. WWE could do something similar, albeit with someone who was handpicked since the moment he debuted over a decade ago.

#3. WWE already sacrificed Solo Sikoa and the MFTs for the feud

To prove how dangerous Jacob Fatu is, writers had him defeat Solo Sikoa on last week’s SmackDown. The MFTs interfered, but The Samoan Werewolf predictably won since he’s getting a title shot.

After the match, the MFTs tried to beat him down, but he single-handedly dispatched the remaining minions. He essentially buried Sikoa’s group, just like Reigns and the Bloodline have done in the past.

The MFTs have been a focal point of SmackDown for the last three years. To completely destroy a prominent faction simply for the sake of a feud on the other brand is a strange choice. It’s an even worse look if Fatu loses after wrecking four stars en route to Backlash.

#2. Forcing the Usos and Roman Reigns to reevaluate things

Reigns claims he “gave everyone” the last two years to step up and rule over WWE. That period was after he finally lost the Undisputed Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.

Jey Uso, Gunther, and Damian Priest all won titles, but faded back into the roster. Roman is one of the industry’s top stars, but even saying that in the storyline passively buries every other performer who doesn’t get a multitude of opportunities.

The Usos may be back in the tag team division, but they won the titles in their first attempt. The Bloodline then reformed on RAW, but claims things will be different. That hasn’t been the case as Roman talks, and the Usos do his bidding, whether he asked for it or not.

They’ll always play second fiddle to him as that’s the dynamic of the Bloodline. If Jacob Fatu beats the golden boy who was handpicked for glory over 10 years ago, it will force both Roman and the Usos to examine that dynamic.

The Usos can claim to be on the same field as their cousin despite bowing to him at times. Even LA Knight pointed this out recently. The shock of losing the title would be a “look in the mirror” moment for the Bloodline.

#1. Creating a desperately needed new main event star

The main event stars are those who usually draw eyes to the product and huge PLEs. Some stars deserve to be in the spot, but don’t get the consistent chance as others.

Over the last year, WWE has lost Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. Goldberg wasn’t a big loss as he was an older part-timer who showed up sporadically. Losing Cena, however, was a massive blow.

He was still a huge draw across multiple industries. Styles wasn’t a crossover star like Cena, but he was one of the greatest performers of the last 25 years. He’s loved as a face or heel. Some considered him the successor to Shawn Michaels.

The current crop of top stars is either close to or over 40. Fatu is only 34, but could join the ranks of Rollins, Reigns, Punk, Rhodes, Orton, and Gunther if he beats his cousin at Backlash. It will give WWE another star who could main event big PLEs.

He’s already a super-popular fan favorite with an exciting move set and character. WWE needs to start working different stars in as major champions as the usual suspects continue to age.