Paul Pogba has advised Kobbie Mainoo to carefully evaluate his future at Manchester United amid ongoing contract discussions and external interest.
Mainoo’s Challenging Season
The 21-year-old academy product faced a tough start under Ruben Amorim, who sidelined him from the first team. Mainoo did not start a single Premier League match until after the Portuguese manager’s departure in January. Earlier, club captain Bruno Fernandes edged him out for the starting role, prompting Mainoo to seek a loan move in the summer, which United blocked. Interest resurfaced in January from Napoli, but Amorim’s exit shifted dynamics.
Revival Under Carrick
Since Michael Carrick took over, Mainoo has started every available game, missing only one due to injury. His form has earned a recall to the England squad, positioning him as a contender for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup team heading to North America this summer. With just 12 months remaining on his contract—plus a club option for another year—extension talks are progressing positively.
Pogba’s Personal Insights
Pogba, who joined United at 16, left in 2012 without first-team opportunities before returning in 2016 and departing four years ago, understands Mainoo’s dilemmas. Having navigated similar uncertainties, the France international emphasizes prioritizing regular first-team action.
‘He is such a talented kid, he is still young. It is really difficult. It is about the way how he feels, if he is good with the manager, and if the manager really trusts him, because he is going to have all the clubs behind him. But I don’t know about his contract. If he was free [agent], it would be a different story, I think. A kid like this, who thinks he can play, if everyone thinks he can play, if his manager is pushing and telling him you can play, why don’t you play. That can also put this in this kid and he’s like yeah, I should leave. Maybe it is not the right decision. It’s really hard for me to say he should leave when he is so loved by the people at United, he is such a great player with big potential and he can have a great career at United. I don’t know I just wish him the best.’
Pogba shared these thoughts on Rio Ferdinand Presents, highlighting the pull of multiple clubs while acknowledging Mainoo’s value at Old Trafford.
