Pogba urges Mainoo to think carefully as Man United future hangs in balance

Paul Pogba has offered his perspective on Kobbie Mainoo’s contract situation at Manchester United, urging the young midfielder to weigh his options carefully as he edges closer to a defining career decision.

Mainoo is widely expected to commit his long-term future to United, with reports suggesting a new deal until 2031 is close to being finalised.

The proposed agreement would see the teenager’s wages rise significantly, underlining his growing importance within the squad. With just a year remaining on his current contract, the club have moved swiftly to secure one of their most promising talents.

The midfielder’s resurgence has coincided with the arrival of interim manager Michael Carrick, under whom he has flourished in a more prominent first-team role.

His composure and maturity have been central to United’s push for a return to the UEFA Champions League, further strengthening the club’s desire to tie him down.

Pogba, who faced a similarly complex situation before leaving Old Trafford in 2022 for Juventus, reflected on the challenges young players encounter when balancing opportunity, trust, and external interest.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the French-Guinean midfielder emphasised the importance of feeling valued within the team environment.

“It’s difficult. It’s really difficult. It’s the way how he feels. If he feels that, if he’s good with the manager, if the manager really trusts him, because he’s going to have all the clubs behind him, this is for sure.

“But I don’t know about his contract, because if he will be a free agent, it will be a different story, I think. But, you know, a kid like this, you know, that thinks that he can play and other people think that he can play, his managers pushing him, telling him, you can play in this team, why you don’t play. That also put this in this kid and he’s like, yeah, I should leave.

“Maybe it’s not the right decision. And it’s really hard for me to say he should leave when he’s so loved by the people at United. He’s such a great player, a big potential and he can do a great career at Manchester United also.

“So, I don’t know, but I just wish him the best. I don’t know, whatever decision he’s going to take. I just want to see this kid play because it’s enjoyable to see him play.”

Pogba’s own post-United journey has been far from smooth. Now with AS Monaco, he has struggled for consistent minutes, making only a handful of league appearances this season.