- Michael Carrick provides update on Kobbie Mainoo future at Manchester United
- Midfielder’s contract expires in 2027
- Mainoo was close to leaving club under Ruben Amorim
Over the international break, there have been two priorities for Manchester United to sort out before they make moves for the summer.
The first was the future of Harry Maguire. The centreback’s contract was expiring in 2027, and his career was at a crossroads. At the age of 33 years-old, the club needed to decide whether keeping his experience was more valuable than letting him go. In the end, the England international penned a new one-year deal, with the option of a further year.
The other was a similiar, yet delicate situation regarding Kobbie Mainoo. His current contract also runs until the summer of 2027, with United keen on securing the future of the young star.
Carrick: Deal ‘Getting Closer’
In his press conference on Saturday, Carrick was asked if the club were confident of tying down Mainoo to Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.
He said: “Obviously, we’d like to think so, yeah, and it’s getting closer, so you know we’re positive with that. We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it, and time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with it.”
The contract talks have been ongoing since January, which coincided with Carrick’s arrival. Mainoo has played in every game under the 44-year-old so far, striking up a partnership with Casemiro. The bittersweet moment of finding the right, balanced midfield is short-lived. The club’s focus will be to bring in a new partner for Mainoo as the Brazilian departs this summer.
Former boss Ruben Amorim did not find the duo viable together, going so far as to cast Mainoo into the shadows. The 20 year-old was close to leaving on loan, after requesting to do so. However, a move was blocked due to a lack of depth in the area. Mainoo was the subject of interest from current Serie A champions Napoli in December.
Carrick and his Say Does Matter
Carrick has revitalised Mainoo’s career in a meaningful manner. As a result of his club form, Mainoo recently earned a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England side and is expected to make the 25-man squad. With a new contract on the horizon and the player committed to Old Trafford, the hierarchy can profile the Casemiro replacement as someone who can compliment Mainoo’s profile for years to come.
All signs point towards Carrick being appointed as the permanent head coach. He can single-handedly be credited for the remarkable U-turn in the Mainoo saga. The club were close to making a brazen mistake by siding with Amorim earlier this season. They have safely dodged a bullet and saved from spending millions on two first-choice midfielders this summer.
Combined with Maguire’s renewal, Carrick is becoming integral to matters relating beyond this season. The Reds boss said as much when asked about it on Saturday, too.
On the pitch, a win against Leeds could move the former midfielder into pole position for the role. With just seven more league games to go, Champions League qualification for next season is well within their own hands.
