Arjun Menon
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has clarified that reintegrating Kobbie Mainoo into the starting lineup was an easy choice following the midfielder’s return to the fold at Old Trafford.
Mainoo found himself marginalized during the first half of the 2025-26 season. Under previous management, the 20-year-old was frequently overlooked as other midfield profiles were prioritized. This period of inactivity ended abruptly following a change in the dugout. After an initial recall by Darren Fletcher, Carrick cemented the academy graduate’s status as a first-choice starter upon his appointment.
The England international has justified the selection by helping Manchester United secure 13 points from their last five Premier League fixtures. Carrick pointed to his long-standing relationship with the player as a primary factor in his confidence.
Long-term Connection Between Coach and Player
I’ve known Kobbie a long time. I started working with him when I think he was 13 or 14, when I was starting to do my coaching badges. So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions… what Kobbie’s done at such a young age is quite incredible really.
Carrick emphasized that while the midfielder is still developing, his natural talent makes him a vital asset to the current tactical setup. The coach noted that he is currently avoiding over-coaching the youngster to allow him to rediscover his natural match rhythm after his earlier spell on the sidelines.
We forget how young he still is. I was just a big fan of watching him play and knowing what he was capable of. So it wasn’t really a big decision to play him. We haven’t really got started on [technical improvements] because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again.
Contract Negotiations Underway
The club is moving to secure Mainoo‘s long-term future with reports suggesting a new contract could be finalized before the 2025-26 campaign concludes. His current agreement runs until the summer of 2027, with internal discussions focused on reflecting his status as a regular starter. Currently earning approximately £25,000 a week, the midfielder is expected to receive a significant salary increase in line with his first-team importance.
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