The news that Erik ten Hag will continue to lead Manchester United has delighted Kobbie Mainoo, who also acknowledged the amount of appreciation he owes the Dutchman.
Speaking while representing England at Euro 2024, Mainoo stated that he felt “peace of mind” about the club’s decision to continue with the 54-year-old going into the upcoming campaign.
Ineos’s end-of-season review put Ten Hag’s position in peril, and speculation over his future had been rife in the last weeks of the season and in the days following the FA Cup final. They had a meeting a week ago to reinforce their decision to stick with Ten Hag after considering possible candidates.
The influence Ten Hag has had on young players—Mainoo foremost among them—has helped to keep him in the position; negotiations for a new contract are currently in progress. After making his debut under the current manager, the 19-year-old midfielder was given a major part this season and was so good that he was included in the England squad for the European Championship.
Mainoo’s goal in the FA Cup final at Wembley helped United defeat Manchester City, and that victory was crucial in allowing Ten Hag to take over at Old Trafford for a third season.
Mainoo stated, “Obviously happy to be building with him.” “I hope he wins more trophies because he already has two. The knowledge that we will return to the same manager for the upcoming season brings a sense of comfort.
“I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for believing in me enough to let me play on the squad. I am so grateful to him.”
In England’s opening group match in Gelsenkirchen, a 1-0 victory over Serbia, Mainoo was brought off the bench. He might play Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, two of his United teammates, on Thursday in Frankfurt against Denmark.
“They’re both great team-mates to me, Rasmus is young like me so I am always around him,” he stated. “I’m attempting to take notes and learn from Christian. I’ll have to set everything aside if I play on Thursday in order to go up against him and maybe win.”