Carrick says his aim is for Mainoo to 'thrive' at Man Utd ahead of Liverpool clash

Michael Carrick says his aim is for Kobbie Mainoo to "thrive" after the midfielder signed a new contract for Manchester United.

Mainoo has a new deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2031 and Carrick pointed to how the players development reflects the pillars that the club has been built on.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with Kobbie since I’ve been here,” said Carrick.

“I think I’ve known him for quite some time in different capacities, but I’ve certainly been aware of him for a long time. He epitomises this football club, you know? Young players coming through the Academy, who live and breathe the club and come through with real talent.

“He's shown what he's doing, I think the last couple of games, in particular, he’s been fantastic. The natural thing and the evolution is to sign a new contract and everyone’s over the moon with that, including me, because I think he deserves it.”

Mainoo hadn't started a Premier League match this season before Carrick's appointment in January, but has formed a formidable partnership in midfield with the departing Casemiro over recent months.

Carrick his idea has just been to give Mainoo the freedom and platform to be the best version of himself.

“Like [with] all the players I think, [when you arrive you are just] trying to get that relationship and understanding, building relationships," he said.

"Certainly understanding what it had looked like for Kobbie over the last two or three years, the ups and the downs and the big highs and some challenging times.

“Letting him thrive, just giving him that platform to go and be himself [has been important]. He’s evolved, he’s improving all the time. I think you can see that, with more confidence, more responsibility, more belief. He keeps adding to his game and he’s certainly done that.

“So just giving him that platform and that opportunity to go and be the best version. As I just said, he’s done fantastic and there’s loads more to come. I keep saying that because he’s just a young man.

“He’s in a great spot at the moment."

Carrick has previously voiced his admiration for Mainoo, a player who has started 12 of the 13 games since the boss's arrival, and says this deal is the next natural step for the 21-year-old, who has already achieved so much since his senior debut in 2023.

Mainoo's form under the boss saw him return to the England squad in March and, from a club point of view, he's just two appearances away from reaching the proud 100-mark for his boyhood club, whom he joined as a six-year-old.

In Thursday's announcement, Kobbie spoke about his goal being to help United fight for major trophies in the years ahead, and Carrick agrees that has to be the target for our no.37, who could help us secure a return to the UEFA Champions League this weekend.

“Hopefully, he’s here for a long time and he’s part of successful teams that win things, win trophies. That has to be the aim,” Michael responded, when asked what Mainoo could achieve by 2031, when he will still just be in his mid-20s.

“It’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be straightforward but that’s the challenge. That’s got to be the aim of Kobbie, to be the best version of himself and keep pushing, keep improving.

“Certainly to have the platform of a team and the football club in a good place to keep pushing forward and we want to be competing for the biggest of trophies. We’ve done it in the past and we need to do it again.”