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By SIMON JONES and CIARAN FOREMAN, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 08: 53 AEDT, 20 January 2026 | Updated: 08: 58 AEDT, 20 January 2026 7 View comments Kobbie Mainoo is preparing to stay at Manchester United this month after being restored to the first team by Michael Carrick. The 20–year–old was pushing to leave for Napoli on loan after being restricted to substitute appearances under Ruben Amorim. However, Carrick gave Mainoo his first start of the season in the Manchester derby on Saturday and has encouraged the England midfielder that he is in his plans going forward, if he maintains form. Mainoo had agreed a new contract last year which was still to be signed off under his former manager Amorim, who started him in just one game – away to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup – this season. Amorim was regularly grilled by the media about the young midfielder's lack of involvement, and Mainoo's own brother Jordan Mainoo–Hames was pictured at Old Trafford wearing a shirt emblazoned with 'Free Kobbie Mainoo' in December. Carrick played Mainoo on the left of his midfield three against City, alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. It was a show of faith in the youngster who had not started a Premier League game this season before walking out at Old Trafford. Kobbie Mainoo is preparing to stay at Man United month after being restored to the first team Mainoo was pushing for a move after having his minutes reduced under Ruben Amorim United's new head coach has long been effusive in his praise of Mainoo. Speaking to former team–mate Rio Ferdinand last September, Carrick even suggested the club should 'build around' the academy graduate. 'For a club to have a player that's come through the academy and knows it, Man United's got to have an element of that. Always has done, always should do, ' Carrick said. 'To have a talent like that, as he's shown already, you've got to have players like that. They get it, they know it, let's build around them. There's definitely a place for him (Mainoo) there for sure. ' Asked by Ferdinand where he would play Mainoo in United's team, Carrick said at the time: 'He's more of an attacker. I don't see him as a holding midfielder. He's that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom. 'He can defend the higher line but I think that bit deeper, around the centre–backs, that's a bit of a different thing completely. I see him playing that little bit higher and creating. 'I think he's got a massive future. I really like him, he just needs that patience and a little bit of a break again. ' Against City, however, Carrick deployed Mainoo in a slightly deeper role. And while he failed to register a key attacking pass from his 32 completed, the midfielder showcased the combative side of his game, recording an impressive 77 pressures as United imposed their game on Pep Guardiola's men.
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