Kobbie Mainoo has re-established himself in the Manchester United starting line-up under Michael Carrick and looks set to sign a new deal with the club
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has advised Kobbie Mainoo that playing time should be the primary consideration when weighing up his future. Mainoo has cemented his place back in the starting line-up under Michael Carrick.
The midfielder had found opportunities limited under previous boss Ruben Amorim, casting uncertainty over his United future. Mainoo had reportedly requested a loan move away from the club during the summer transfer window in pursuit of more regular football, a request that United rejected.
The 21-year-old will have just 12 months left on his Old Trafford contract when the summer window arrives. But he appears poised to sign a lucrative new deal at the club.
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Like Mainoo, Pogba progressed through the academy at Old Trafford, but departed in 2012 seeking consistent first-team action. He returned to the club in 2016 before exiting once more six years down the line.
When asked by Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast what advice he’d offer Mainoo, Pogba appeared to suggest that he should leave the club
“He played and he’s such a talented, such a talented kid. He’s still young,” he said.
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“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.”
Since his departure from United, life has been far from straightforward for Pogba. The midfielder was handed a ban from football following a doping violation. Upon his comeback, he linked up with French club Monaco last summer, yet has managed 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.
