MICHAEL CARRICK has claimed that Manchester United need players like Kobbie Mainoo who are the “foundation of the club”.
Carrick handed Mainoo his first Premier League start of the season in the in the derby at .
Kobbie Mainoo played his first full 90 minutes of the season against City last weekendCredit: Alamy
Michael Carrick has claimed that United need players like Mainoo who are the ‘foundation of the club’Credit: Reuters
with United after negotiations stalled in early 2025 amid the midfielder’s injury concerns and lack of playing time last season.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Carrick, 44, said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Kobbie.
“I’ve known since he was young, I think I started working with him a little bit when he was 13, 14 years old when I was going through my badges.
“This club needs young players coming through and being the foundation, to understand what it means.
“It’s something we need to grasp and keep building on.
“Kobbie is a prime example, to have had a rapid rise and impact those big games at such a young age shows an awful lot of quality in terms of the character to be able to handle it.
“Part of a career is a few ups and downs but we saw last week what he can bring. He is quite straight-faced but you could see the way he played and expressed that he was enjoying himself. To see him like that was great.”
after being appointed as interim head coach, telling him that he would be a key part of his plans until the end of the season.
Mainoo was excellent in the derby, playing a full 90 minutes for the first time this term since United’s dismal Carabao Cup exit at fourth-tier Grimsby.
The 20-year-old academy graduate was dropped down the pecking order under former head coach Ruben Amorim during his 14 months at the helm.
The Stockport-born star was linked with a January loan exit to Napoli after being restricted to just 12 appearances this season.
But sources said at the end of his contract in the summer will free up funds for United to make a major midfield addition.
United are set to keep Mainoo, while monitoring England trio Elliot Anderson, and , as well as Bright midfielder .
Carrick also expects to be involved in contract talks, with , and Jadon Sancho’s deals expiring in the summer.
When asked about contract talks, Carrick said: “As time goes on, I’m sure I’ll be a part of it.
For the week or so that it’s been, looking too far down the track hasn’t happened just yet. It’s the initial thoughts of what’s happening now.
“The important thing is any decision I make, the staff make or the club make is not short-term.
“I’ve got a responsibility, whatever happens next, for it to be in a good place and moving forward to make the right decisions.
“As time goes on, I’m sure I’ll be a part of it.”
Man Utd ratings vs Man City: Mbeumo forces wonder save from Donnarumma but that’s as good as it gets
MANCHESTER UNITED’S miserable start to the season continued after they were brushed aside by neighbours Man City.
Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to come back with a bang after the international break, falling to a 3-0 away defeat.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for City after just 18 minutes with a glancing header that gave Altay Bayindir – keeping his spot despite the arrival on Ssnne Lammens – little chance to stop.
While Erling Haaland did what he does best by bagging a second-half brace to put the hosts out of reach.
United now sit 14th in the table, with City leapfrogging them with their second win of the season.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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