Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new five-year contract until 2031.

The 21-year-old’s previous deal at Old Trafford, signed in 2023 when he was still 17, was due to expire in the summer of 2027.

Mainoo has featured in 26 matches in all competitions so far this season, 24 in the Premier League, with this contract extension understood to underpin his importance in the team since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as United manager in January.

Mainoo 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.

“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.”

AC Milan will consider three Manchester United players as part of a swap deal for Rafael Leao, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The outlet claim that United have already made contact with agents over a potential deal for Leao this summer, but their first choice target is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.

However, Leao could be an easier deal to do, with Milan now ready to listen to offers for the winger. The Italian side are reportedly asking for around €50 million (£43.3m) but their interest in three United players could possibly lead to a swap deal.

Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Rashford are all mentioned. All three players are expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.

Zirkzee has struggled to make an impact since his move from Bologna, while Rashford has spent the season on loan with Barcelona. The Spanish side have the option to make the move permanent for £26 million but they are looking less and less likely to trigger it.

United could therefore be looking for sale in the summer. Using him as part of a swap for Leao could be seen as a solution.

United have forfeited a financial boost from a friendly against RB Leipzig. Sky Germany report that as part of the agreement between the two sides over striker Benjamin Sesko, a friendly match must be played.

But instead of United financially benefitting from the game, Leipzig will instead receive all of the revenue. It’s reported that the game must be played within the ‘next few years’.

United completed a deal for Sesko last summer, paying a fee of around £66.3million. However, Sky Germany report that it is now set to rise to £74 million with add-ons.

It’s claimed that there will be around £3.5 million in bonuses for things such as appearances, goals and Champions League qualification.

In his first season with the club, Sesko has scored 11 times, in 31 appearances in all competitions. He scored what turned out to be the winning goal in Monday night’s win over Brentford.

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have commenced investigations into the activities of one Ralph Chinazum Ajah, Managing Director, Paramount Energy Limited for an alleged case of obtaining by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N72, 300, 000. 00 (Seventy two million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira).

A petitioner alleged that he sent the said sum to Ajah for the supply of petroleum products to some of his branches. The said money was paid in six tranches between April 11, 2022 and May 24, 2022. “After he collected the money, he kept promising to supply the products as agreed but failed to do so which then prompted us to do preliminary investigations and we discovered that Chinazumah Ajah and his company do not have the capacity to supply the products and he deliberately defrauded us of our business capital”, the petitioner said.

However, investigations revealed that the suspect used the account of his company, Paramount Energy Limited, to receive the said sum after which he transferred the money into his account for personal use.

The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.