Ryan Giggs gives Kobbie Mainoo Man Utd transfer advice as Michael Carrick 'deadline' looms - The Mirror

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been advised by Ryan Giggs to remain patient at Old Trafford despite stalled contract talks, with the 20-year-old facing a transfer deadline

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has said he hopes Kobbie Mainoo remains at the club as a crucial deadline looms over the youngster's future. The talented midfielder had been the subject of intense transfer speculation before Ruben Amorim's departure earlier this month.

Michael Carrick has since taken the reins on an interim basis until the end of the 2025/26 season, with the Manchester derby immediately demanding his focus. However, he has just over a fortnight to reshape his squad and offload any surplus players ahead of the transfer window closing.

Mainoo is expected to stay at Old Trafford for the remainder of the campaign, after seeing a prospective loan turned down by the club earlier in the season amid interest from Napoli. But in the summer, he will enter the final year of his current deal.

Negotiations over a new contract have hit an impasse, with Mainoo still among the club's lowest earners on terms he agreed back in February 2023. Chelsea are even rumoured to be monitoring the situation.

The 20-year-old has made just two starts in the 2025/26 season, both resulting in cup eliminations. Giggs believes Mainoo needs to remain patient.

"As a footballer, you want to play. But I would have more patience because he is only 20, and it is difficult to play centre midfield for Man United," Giggs told BetSelect.

"It's like a striker. You don't see many really young strikers playing for Man United because it is difficult. But yeah, we all feel that he should be getting more minutes, but he needs to be patient.

"He's still young, he's still learning the game. And when he does get his chance, he needs to take it. So I'd like to see him stay."

Carrick appears to have already mapped out how best to deploy Mainoo. In a conversation with Rio Ferdinand back in September, he explained: "He's more of an attacker. I don't see him as a holding midfielder. He's that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom.

"He can defend the higher line, but I think that bit deeper, around the centre-backs, that's a bit of a different thing completely. I see him playing that little bit higher and creating.

"I think he's got a massive future. I really like him, he just needs that patience and a little bit of a break again."

Patience might prove crucial as Mainoo looks set to continue vying with Bruno Fernandes for a starting spot, unless Carrick decides to deploy the England starlet in a midfield partnership, whilst pushing Fernandes forward into United's No. 10 role.

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