Michael Carrick’s appointment at Old Trafford could affect the future of Koby Mainu, who has been linked with a move from Manchester United after failing to feature consistently in recent years.
Koby Mainu could be on the move this month (Image: Getty Images)
Michael Carrick may have little time to convince Coby Mainu to stay at Manchester United if rumors stir up truth. The 44-year-old was announced on Tuesday night as interim head coach of the Red Devils, replacing Ruben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this month.
Carrick is keen to lead United to the strongest possible finish in the Premier League for the second half of the season, but the Englishman is also tasked with building a relationship with a team with a strong tradition. One player that Carrick would be wise to address early is definitely Mynu.
The 20-year-old has had limited minutes under Amorim, making just one start this season under the Portuguese head coach. It was against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, with United losing on penalties in an embarrassing fashion.
read more: Manchester United prompt Liverpool goal to move ‘heaven and earth’ for Xabi Alonsoread more: Michael Carrick’s harsh treatment of Bruno Fernandes and his ‘closest Manchester United friend’ says a lot
Manager Darren Fletcher used the youngster in the FA Cup game against Brighton at the weekend, but many fans will be keen to know what Carrick’s plans are for Maynou. The newspaper said Mainu’s relationship with the United board was “fragile” after failing to secure a new contract last year.
It is also understood that the midfielder has no desire to remain at his current club if his game time continues to be hampered. This comes as a number of clubs have recently expressed an interest in Mainuo, with Napoli believed to be the frontrunner.
Serie A clubs have already taken a keen eye on the Red Devils’ talent, with Scott McTominay having improved since moving to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in 2024. The Scotland international was named league MVP in his debut season and also helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
As a result, Carrick will have to wait until the end of the transfer window to resolve the issue with Mainu or risk losing the young talent altogether, whether on loan or permanently. It comes after Carrick was announced as United’s new interim head coach on Tuesday night.
Michael Carrick appointed as Manchester United’s new interim head coach (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
In a club statement posted on Manchester United’s official website, the Red Devils said: “Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as head coach of the men’s first team until the end of the 2025/26 season. Carrick made 464 appearances for the club, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“He joined the first-team coaching staff upon his retirement in 2018, working under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Solskjaer’s departure, Carrick led the club with distinction in his role as caretaker manager.”
Commenting on his appointment, Carrick explained: “It is an honor to take on the responsibility of leading Manchester United. I know what it takes to succeed here. My focus now is to help our players reach the standards we expect at this great club. I know this team is more than capable.”
“I have already worked with some of the players and have of course continued to follow the team closely in recent years. I have full faith in their talent, dedication and ability to succeed here. There is still a lot to compete for this season. We are ready to bring everyone together and deliver a performance worthy of the loyal support of our fans.”
Manager Jason Wilcox said of the appointment: “Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United. He is ready to lead our talented and determined squad for the remainder of the season as we continue to build the club towards regular and sustained success.”
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily Manchester United content from Mirror Football. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
