Kobbie Mainoo is back in the Manchester United starting line-up and closing in on a new deal that will see him commit his long-term future to the club.
News filtered through on Tuesday afternoon that Manchester United had made progress in contract talks with Kobbie Mainoo over the last week.
Following on from Harry Maguire’s new deal, United fans are getting a better idea of what the team will look like next season. Mainoo is set to be considered in United’s planned midfield revamp following on from Casemiro’s planned exit.
After a masterclass against Chelsea, Mainoo has been enjoying an impressive run of form since the turn of the year.
Mainoo Masterclass: How does Kobbie make it look so easy?
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Kobbie Mainoo’s future looked uncertain not long ago
Ruben Amorim was sacked in January following United’s 1-1 draw against Leeds at Elland Road.
Before that, Mainoo had started just one game this season, in a Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby Town.
Amorim appeared to have made up his mind about Mainoo from this point. It was a decision that later proved counterproductive, as Michael Carrick’s appointment led to the 21-year-old returning to the line-up.
Carrick gave Mainoo a new lease of life, months on from his request to leave Old Trafford on loan. What would his request have been this summer had Amorim still been at the club and Ineos not sacked him in January?
Mainoo has started the majority of games since Amorim’s dismissal, and it’s no wonder that he is back in the picture to be selected for the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Now, we are talking about Mainoo getting a new five-year deal and being part of the team’s long-term plans. It was completely different under Amorim.
United were at risk of losing Mainoo if Amorim remained as manager. For the sake of his own career, he would have had no other choice but to leave his boyhood club. That’s the sad reality of the situation.
Mainoo has overcome big battles early on in his career. It should help shape him as a player.
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Kobbie Mainoo in safe hands under Michael Carrick
Carrick’s return to the club has been of huge benefit to Mainoo.
As a young midfielder, Mainoo can learn directly from Carrick, who was a master of the art.
Carrick is a humble character, and he is already getting the most out of Mainoo.
We can trust that Mainoo is in safe hands if Carrick remains as head coach beyond this season.
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