Kobbie Mainoo has said confirmation Erik ten Hag will stay on as Manchester United manager gives players “peace of mind” and is targeting more trophies under the Dutchman next season.
United ended months of speculation last week when deciding to retain Ten Hag following an end of season review, held in the days after beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup and finish a turbulent campaign on a high.
Ten Hag has since admitted the club have told him they spoke with former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel while United also considered moves for England boss Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank among others before keeping faith with the 54-year-old.
Mainoo only made his full Premier League debut in November and his senior England debut in March but was rewarded for a fine season by making Southgate’s final 26 for Euro 2024.
Asked to react to Ten Hag staying, Mainoo told a news conference on Tuesday: “Obviously happy to be building with him, he’s already got two trophies so hopefully there is more to come. It is nice to have that peace of mind that we know which manager we are going back to next season.
“I’m so grateful to him that he put so much trust in me and believed in me to play in the team and I can’t thank him enough.”
Mainoo made his first appearance as a late substitute in Sunday’s 1-0 Group C win over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen after opting to turn down an approach from Ghana to represent the birthplace of his parents.
ESPN reported in February that Southgate was considering fast-tracking Mainoo through England’s ranks as a result and the 19-year-old said: “I am proud of my Ghanaian heritage and there was speculation, but, yeah, it has always been a dream to play for England. I am happy to be here. It was considered, but I wanted to play for England.”
Mainoo also reserved praise for Declan Rice, who has become a pivotal midfielder for Arsenal and England following his £105 million ($133m) move from West Ham last summer.
“Dec is such a good player, so reliable and dominant in midfield,” he said. “When I get to play next to him it is always a joy to have someone so strong on the ball next to you and you can always trust him no matter where you are on the pitch.”
“I think he is worth every penny, he is such a good player. He has proved that in the Prem and at international level.”