Manchester United have made Kobbie Mainoo’s contract renewal a top priority following a dramatic change in the youngster’s fortunes under new manager Michael Carrick.
From the Exit Door to Center Stage
Only weeks ago, Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford seemed destined to end. Under former manager Ruben Amorim, the 20-year-old academy graduate struggled for minutes and was reportedly on the verge of a desperate move to Napoli in search of first-team football. However, the dismissal of Amorim and the appointment of Michael Carrick have completely altered the landscape.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are now preparing a substantial contract extension for the midfielder. The board intends to open formal talks once the winter transfer window closes, offering Mainoo a significant salary hike to reflect his status as a “pillar of the club’s future.”
The Carrick Effect: Derby Heroics
Carrick, a legendary figure at the club, has wasted no time in restoring Mainoo to the starting XI. The midfielder’s standout performances in the high-stakes victories over Manchester City and Arsenal proved decisive. Carrick reportedly blocked the Napoli transfer personally, assuring the player that he would be a “crucial piece” in the Red Devils’ resurgence during the second half of the season.
Mainoo, who never truly wanted to leave his boyhood club, has responded with the composure and technical quality that many compared to Carrick himself during his playing days.
Securing the Future
The new deal is expected to be a long-term commitment, tying Mainoo to Old Trafford well into the late 2020s. For Manchester United, securing Mainoo isn’t just a tactical move; it’s a statement of intent to build around home-grown talent a philosophy that Michael Carrick appears determined to revive.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
