New Mainoo deal closer, says Man Utd boss Carrick

New Mainoo deal closer, says Man Utd boss Carrick Image source, Getty ImagesBySimon StoneManchester United reporterPublished4 minutes agoManchester United are positive Kobbie Mainoo will sign a new deal to stay at Old Trafford, head coach Michael Carrick says.Mainoo has been in talks over an extension likely to run until 2031 that will secure him secure a significant salary increase on his current contract, which was signed in 2023, just as he was breaking into the senior squad."It's getting closer, so we're positive with that," said Carrick."Time will tell how it goes but we are calm with it and at the moment, we are in a good place," he said before his side faces Leeds United on Monday.That will be welcomed by the vast majority of Manchester United fans - as when they last played Leeds on 4 January, it was unimaginable that Mainoo would stay. At that point, the midfielder had not started a Premier League match all season under Ruben Amorim. But the 1-1 draw at Elland Road turned out to be Amorim's last.Mainoo, 20, was absent with a calf injury at the time, but was his winter transfer window options, having seen a request to join Napoli on loan rejected last summer.But in his post-match news conference at Leeds, Amorim criticised the club's hierarchy in such fierce terms, he was dismissed within 24 hours.Carrick watched that game with Wayne Rooney and their respective families on holiday in Barbados. At that point, he had no clue how his life was about to change."There wasn't really any sign of it at that stage," he said. "I was supporting from afar and enjoying time with my family."That's just the way the game goes. It can change quickly. You can be in it or you can be out, or results can go one way and can go the other way and if players are fit and in form, then the game flips."That's why we can never take anything for granted and you live in the present and what's coming up nex...