Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly no longer considering a January departure from Manchester United following Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim manager and his immediate return to the starting lineup.

The England international had fallen out of favour under former head coach Ruben Amorim but was handed a starting role by Carrick in his first match in charge at Old Trafford — the Manchester derby against City. Mainoo played a key role as United claimed a 2–0 victory, a result that now appears to have ended speculation over his short-term future at the club.

Mainoo enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the 2023–24 season, helping United lift the FA Cup before going on to star for England during their run to the final of the European Championships. At that stage, his rise seemed unstoppable and he was widely viewed as one of the club’s most important young assets.

However, his momentum stalled following Amorim’s arrival in late 2024. The United academy graduate was gradually pushed to the fringes of the first team and did not make his first Premier League start of the current campaign until the weekend’s derby win — weeks after Amorim had been dismissed.

Before his departure, Amorim maintained that he always selected his strongest possible lineup, implying that Mainoo did not feature among his preferred options. Speaking in early December, the Portuguese coach said his choices were based purely on performance and fitness levels rather than reputation or potential.

Despite limiting Mainoo’s opportunities, Amorim still described the midfielder as “the future” of Manchester United, even as he continued to favour other midfield options.

With Carrick now in temporary charge and showing immediate faith in the 18-year-old, Mainoo is expected to remain at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future, with his United career appearing to be back on track.