Michael Carrick's appointment at Manchester United has led to Kobbie Mainoo becoming an influential figure once again with the club now looking to iron out his new contract
Michael Carrick's arrival led to Kobbie Mainoo's returning to the starting XI
Michael Carrick's arrival led to Kobbie Mainoo's returning to the starting XI(Image: Mike Morese/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick admits a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo is "getting closer" and hopes to have his Manchester United future ironed out by the end of the season.
The midfielder has been one of the biggest winners of the change in the dugout with Carrick quickly restoring him to the starting picture. Previously under Ruben Amorim he had been very much a squad player with minutes hard to come by.
The Portuguese coach was not shy in criticising Mainoo, but Carrick wasted no time in bringing him back into the fold. His start in the win over Manchester City in January was Mainoo's first of the season - and he's been picked by the interim boss for every game since.
His impressive performances have come amid a backdrop of an uncertain future. Mainoo, who will turn 21 later this month, penned a new deal back in 2023 but the club want him to sign another extension, with the two parties at the negotiating table.
Carrick was quizzed on whether he was confident over a positive resolution and said: “Obviously we'd like to think so, yeah, and it's getting closer so we're positive with that. We’re calm with it, but we're positive with it. Time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we're in a good place with it.”
Mainoo has been at the Manchester outfit since he was nine and was a massive hit when he first made his debut under Erik ten Hag. Within a year he was scoring in an FA Cup final victory and starting for England in the final of Euro 2024. His development has since stalled, partly down to United's struggles as well as his lack of minutes under Amorim.
But his recent displays have put him back in contention for a spot in Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad with the World Cup only months away. He had been linked with a move away with Chelsea among those reportedly keen, but now looks set to remain at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo has looked back to his best
Kobbie Mainoo has looked back to his best(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Carrick previously said on the United midfielder: "I really enjoyed working with Kobbie. I have known him since he was young. I started working with him when he was 13, 14 years old when I was going through my badges. This club needs young players coming through and laying the foundation for understanding what it means, not only for the players or the squad, but for the club and the supporters.
"It is something we need to grasp and build on and Kobbie is a prime example. To come through so quickly and have that rapid rise, he had to play in some awfully big games and had to impact those it shows an awful lot of quality in terms of his character and being able to handle it."
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