Kobbie Mainoo is closing in on a new deal at Manchester United, just months after wanting to leave the club in search of game time.
Paul Pogba has sent his advice to Kobbie Mainoo.(Image: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has told Kobbie Mainoo that playing time should be the main factor when deciding his future. Mainoo has re-established himself in the starting line-up under Michael Carrick.
The midfielder had struggled for game time under previous manager Ruben Amorim, putting doubts over his United future. Mainoo had reportedly asked to leave the club on loan back in the summer transfer window in search of more game time, something that United blocked.
The 21-year-old will have just one year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford when the summer window comes about. He looks set to put pen to paper on a new bumper deal at Old Trafford.
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Like Mainoo, Pogba came up through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, but left the club in 2012 in search for regular first-team football. He rejoined the club in 2016 before leaving again six years later.
When asked by Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast for his advice to Mainoo, Pogba said: “He played and he’s such a talented, such a talented kid. He’s still young. It’s difficult. It’s really difficult. It’s the way how he feels. If he feels that, if he’s good with the manager, if the manager really trusts him, because he’s going to have all the clubs behind him, this is for sure.
“But I don’t know about his contract, because if he will be a free agent, it will be a different story, I think. But, you know, a kid like this, you know, that thinks that he can play and other people think that he can play, his managers pushing him, telling him, you can play in this team, why you don’t play. That also put this in this kid and he’s like, yeah, I should leave.
“Maybe it’s not the right decision. And it’s really hard for me to say he should leave when he’s so loved by the people at United. He’s such a great player, a big potential and he can do a great career at Manchester United also.
“So, I don’t know, but I just wish him the best. I don’t know, whatever decision he’s going to take. I just want to see this kid play because it’s enjoyable to see him play.”
Following his exit from United, Pogba has had a difficult time. The midfielder was banned from playing for a doping offence.
Upon his return, he joined French side Monaco in the summer, but has made just four appearances in Ligue 1 this season.
Head to the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel to watch the full interview live from 8 am on Wednesday 22nd April.
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2026-04-22 07:02:47
