Kobbie Mainoo has expressed his delight that Erik ten Hag is to stay on as Manchester United manager and revealed the debt of gratitude he owes to the Dutchman.
Speaking while on international duty at Euro 2024 with England, Mainoo said the club’s decision to stick with the 54-year-old heading into the new season gave him “peace of mind”.
Ten Hag’s future had been the subject of intense speculation in the final weeks of the season and in the days after the FA Cup final, with Ineos conducting an end-of-season review that placed his job in jeopardy. Potential replacements were sounded out before they decided to keep faith with Ten Hag, confirming that intention in a meeting a week ago.
Talks over a new contract are now underway and one of the positives for Ten Hag that helped to keep him in a job was the influence he has had on young players, with Mainoo at the top of that list. The 19-year-old midfielder made his debut under the current manager and was handed a key role this season, performing so well that he broke into the England squad for the European Championship.
Mainoo scored in the FA Cup final to help United beat Manchester City at Wembley, a result that proved vital in giving Ten Hag the chance to begin his third season in charge at Old Trafford.
“Obviously happy to be building with him,” said Mainoo. “He’s already got two trophies and hopefully there are more to come. It is nice to have that peace of mind, that we know what manager we are going back to in the new season.
“I am so grateful for him, that he put so much trust in me and belief in me to play in the team. I can’t thank him enough.”
Mainoo came off the bench in England’s opening group game in Gelsenkirchen, a 1-0 win against Serbia. On Thursday he could face his United teammates Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund, with Denmark the opposition in Frankfurt.
“They’re both great team-mates to me, Rasmus is young like me so I am always around him,” he said. “I am trying to learn and pick up from Christian. If I’m to play on Thursday I’ll have to put that to the side compete against him and hopefully get the win.”