DARREN FLETCHER revealed Kobbie Mainoo is in a “good place” as he bids to fight for his Manchester United future.
The academy graduate suffered a bleak 14 months under former head coach Ruben Amorim and was expected to ask to leave on loan this month.
The 20-year-old is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season but did come off the bench in Fletcher’s first interim game at the helm midweek.
Fletcher said: “Kobbie seems to be in a good place. Kobbie doesn’t give you much.
“So you wouldn’t know if he was in a good or not so good place, he is like that.
“I know him well and I’ve known him for a long time.
“He is in a good place. I know Kobbie, he knows me and Travis and I think he is comfortable with us.
“He has trained well and he is hard to read – it remains to be seen.”
Mainoo could start his first game since August in United’s FA Cup third-round clash against Brighton on Sunday.
His semi-exile under Amorim was a regular feature of the Portuguese’s press conferences.
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SunSport revealed that Mainoo was determined to fight for his Manchester United future after starting 16 of Amorim’s 63 games in charge.
The midfielder was spotted liking a social media post containing a series of memes mocking Amorim’s sacking on Monday.
Mainoo returned to training on Monday after a four game absence through a calf-injury, which curtailed what could have been momentum in the side with the Afcon trio absent.
The Stockport-born star strained relationship with Amorim was made worse when the player’s brother wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-Shirt during United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in December.
Mainoo got the final 30 minutes against the Cherries and was solid enough in the middle of the park, with many assuming he had done enough to start at Villa Park before his knock.
It was his final appearance under Amorim and his 12th of the season with his only start coming in the humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby.
Mainoo’s contract expires in 2027 but United have the option of an additional year.
Kobbie seems to be in a good place
Darren Fletcher
The England international was only 17 when he signed his last deal in February 2023.
He was a breakthrough star in Erik ten Hag‘s final season in charge, starting and scoring in the FA Cup final triumph over rivals City and started for England in the Euro 2024 final.
Mainoo declined United’s opening offer of a new contract at the start of 2025.
He is likely to form a close bond with United’s next long-term interim manager.
Perspective candidates and United legends Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick will champion a homegrown player, who was once the golden child under Erik ten Hag.
Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were the first United teenagers to score in an FA Cup final in United colours since Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Millwall in 2004.
The 2004 FA Cup was interim manager Fletcher’s first trophy under former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
It’s safe to assume that both Carrick and Solskjaer have crossed paths with Mainoo before he stepped up to the first team in November 2022.
It was originally believed that Solskjaer was the clear front-runner to succeed Fletcher, but SunSport understands Carrick has a huge chance to take the reins until a permanent manager is hired in the summer.
Carrick joined Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff in 2016 and played a significant role in Solskjaer’s unit when the Norwegian replaced Mourinho in 2018.
Carrick was also appointed interim manager for four unbeaten games when Solskjaer was sacked in 2021.
