Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has offered some advice to Koby Mainu, declaring that regular minutes must be a major factor when considering his future. Mainu re-established himself in United’s starting XI under manager Michael Carrick. The midfielder had his opportunities limited under former manager Ruben Amorim and his United career was in doubt.
Mainu was said to have sought a loan from the club during the summer transfer window in search of more consistent football, but United rejected the request. A move to Napoli looked set to be finalized in January, but Amorim was sacked and replaced by Carrick. The 21-year-old has just 12 months left on his contract at Old Trafford when the summer period begins. However, it appears he is intent on signing a lucrative new contract with the club.
Like Mainu, Pogba graduated from Old Trafford’s academy but left in 2012 in search of regular first-team appearances. He returned to the club in 2016, but left again six years later.
Pogba was asked on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast how he would coach Mainu, and appeared to hint that he should leave the club. “He played, but he’s a very talented, very talented kid. He’s still young,” he said.
“It’s difficult. It’s really difficult. That’s how he feels. If he feels that way, if he’s on good terms with the manager, if the manager really believes in him, he has all the clubs behind him, so this is for sure.”
“But I don’t know about his contract, because I think if he becomes a free agent, it will be a different story.
“But, you know, this kid thinks he can play, other guys think he can play, and the manager pushes him and says, you can play on this team, why don’t you play? It affects this kid too, and he’s like, ‘Oh, I should leave.’
“Maybe this isn’t the right decision. And it’s really hard to say he should leave when he’s so loved by the United people. He’s a very good player, he’s got a lot of potential and he could have a great career at Manchester United.”
“So, I don’t know, but I wish him the best. I don’t know what decision he’s going to make. I just want to watch this kid play. It’s fun to watch him play.”
Football hasn’t been simple for Pogba since leaving United. The midfielder was suspended for 18 months for a doping violation. After his return, he joined French side Monaco last summer, but the 33-year-old has only made four appearances in Ligue 1 this season.
