Man United's Young Talent 'Reverses Course' to Stay Because of Michael Carrick

After shifts in the coaching team, the young talent at Man United surprisingly changed his decision about his future, with a strong chance he will continue his stay at Old Trafford instead of departing this January.

Kobbie Mainoo is very likely to continue his commitment to Manchester Unitedat least until the end of this season, after Michael Carrick was appointed interim manager. The English midfielder is believed to have abandoned plans to leave Old Trafford during the January transfer window, as he quickly regained his position under the new coaching staff.

Previously, Mainoo was not favored under coach Ruben Amorim’s tenure. Although once one of Man United’s biggest discoveries in the 2023–2024 season, the academy graduate gradually fell out of the club’s main sporting plans. It wasn’t until the recent Manchester derby, which also marked Carrick’s first match as interim manager, that Mainoo made his Premier League starting debut this season, contributing to an impressive 2-0 victory over Man City.

The 2023–2024 season saw a significant breakthrough for Mainoo as he played a key role in helping Man United win the FA Cup and shone for England on their way to the EURO final. However, Amorim’s arrival at the end of 2024 changed the situation. The Portuguese coach repeatedly emphasized he always used the “strongest lineup,” implying Mainoo was not among the prioritized players.

Nonetheless, Amorim once acknowledged Mainoo as the “future of Manchester United.” In fact, the 20-year-old midfielder’s current contract runs until 2027, but his failure to renew it has kept his future a topic of discussion for nearly a year.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Michael Carrick’s arrival marked a decisive moment. Carrick is said to have shown “immediate trust” in Mainoo, which influenced the player’s decision to remain at Old Trafford rather than seek a new club in January. However, contract negotiations will remain a central issue in the coming months.

The victory over Man City also provided an outstanding start for Carrick. Man United not only secured all 3 points but dominated the opponents in nearly every area. After the match, Carrick admitted he worried the players’ eagerness might lead to rash decisions, yet the entire team managed their emotions well to deliver an exceptional performance.