Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo’s future has been under a great deal of scrutiny with Michael Carrick now tasked with getting the best out of the England ace
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has revealed he would like to see Kobbie Mainoo stay at the club as a deadline approaches for a decision on his future. The young midfielder had been widely linked to a number of clubs before Ruben Amorim was sacked earlier this month.
Michael Carrick has now been placed in charge until the end of the season and quickly has the Manchester derby to take his attention. But little over two weeks are available to shape his squad and to ship out any unwanted players before the transfer deadline.
Mainoo is set to remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the season, and was rejected the opportunity to move on loan earlier in the term, with Napoli interested. But come the summer, he will reach the final 12 months of his contract.
Talks over an extension have stalled, and Mainoo remains one of the lowest-paid players in the squad, on a deal he signed way back in February 2023. Chelsea have even been said to be lurking.
The 20-year-old has started just twice in 2025/26, and both have come with cup exits. Giggs reckons Mainoo must show patience.
“As a footballer, you want to play. But I would have more patience because he is only 20, and it is difficult to play centre midfield for Man United,” Giggs told BetSelect.
“It’s like a striker. You don’t see many really young strikers playing for Man United because it is difficult.
“But yeah, we all feel that he should be getting more minutes, but he needs to be patient.
“He’s still young, he’s still learning the game. And when he does get his chance, he needs to take it. So I’d like to see him stay.”
It appears Carrick already has a vision for how to best use Mainoo. Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in September, Carrick said: “He’s more of an attacker.
“I don’t see him as a holding midfielder. He’s that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom.
“He can defend the higher line, but I think that bit deeper, around the centre-backs, that’s a bit of a different thing completely. I see him playing that little bit higher and creating.
“I think he’s got a massive future. I really like him, he just needs that patience and a little bit of a break again.”
Patience could yet be key as Mainoo seems likely to remain in competition with Bruno Fernandes unless Carrick opts to use the England international in a midfield pairing, while Fernandes becomes United’s No.10.
