Michael Carrick has indicated Kobbie Mainoo is moving closer to signing a new contract with Manchester United, saying negotiations are “in a good place”. The 20-year-old, whose deal expires in the summer of 2027, is expected to earn about £120,000 a week, a marked increase on his current terms, which are in the region of £25,000 a week.
“It’s getting closer, so we’re positive about that,” said Carrick. “We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it and time will tell how it goes. But at the moment, we are in a good place.”
If Mainoo does sign a new deal it will signify a remarkable turnaround for the midfielder given the level to which he fell out of favour with Ruben Amorim having previously scored in United’s 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May 2024 and shone for England during that summer’s European Championship. After not starting in the league this season under Amorim, Mainoo has been ever-present under Carrick, leading to an England recall.
United host Leeds on Monday night hoping to strengthen their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Carrick was asked if failing to achieve that would be deemed acceptable. “I wouldn’t accept it, no,” the 41-year-old said. “But it’s not so much accepting it, it’s about trying to finish as high as you possibly can. We’ll see how we get on.”
United’s visit to Leeds on 4 January proved to be Amorim’s last game in charge, with the Portuguese sacked the following day in the aftermath of his explosive post-match comments. Carrick was on holiday in Barbados at the time and admitted he did not envisage taking over the team.
“I watched the games but there wasn’t really any sign of it at that stage, so I was supporting from afar and enjoying time with the family,” said Carrick. “That’s why we can never take anything for granted and why you live in the present and keep trying to improve.”
Lisandro Martínez is expected to take the place of the suspended Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, the Argentinian having last featured in the 1-1 draw at West Ham on 10 February due to a calf problem.
