Another supreme performance against Tottenham has sparked fresh England talk.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick insisted there’s more to come from Kobbie Mainoo after he put in another impressive performance in the 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. United’s latest victory was their fourth straight since Carrick took charge until the end of the season, and was all the more important as Chelsea kept up the pressure later in the day with a comfortable away win at Wolves.
Carrick urged patience with Mainoo after the final whistle, stating pundits and supporters should “not expect too much from him all the time,” but he admitted that the 20-year-old’s trajectory is only heading one way after another quality outing.Mainoo found opportunities hard to come by under Ruben Amorim . | PETER POWELL/AFP/Getty Images Much has been made of Ruben Amorim’s decision to ostracise Mainoo during his 14-month reign at Old Trafford. The Portuguese’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system didn’t play to the strengths of the young midfielder—in his opinion at least—and there was a strong possibility that the United academy graduate could leave the club, either permanently or on loan. But immediately restored to the fold by Carrick, who has reverted back to a conventional 4-2-3-1 system that has freed Bruno Fernandes to push forther forward, Mainoo is back strutting his stuff having failed to start a single“There’s no doubt of Kobbie’s ability and what he can bring,” Carrick enthused in his post-match briefing, before urging expectations to be tempered. “He’s still so young and let’s be careful of not putting so much right on his shoulders and expecting so much of him. He’s still learning the game. Because he’s had the big high and then obviously didn’t play for a bit, it’s easy to think he’s a lot older and more experienced probably than he is. But credit to him, he’s come right in and find his rhythm with football, which is not easy after a period of time out and he’s found that physically and mentally. We know he can handle the ball and hopefully over time, I’m sure he’ll keep improving. We’ve got to be patient and not expect too much from him all the time.”Michael Carrick’s placed his faith in Kobbie Mainoo—and is being rewarded. | Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images Playing alongside the vastly experienced Casemiro, who is enjoying somewhat of a career resurgence having looked to be on the decline over the past 12 to 18 months, Mainoo is flourishing in a team that looks to be reenergised. Carrick noted that Mainoo is “picking things up just by being next to him,” and that he’s “probably not even realising” that he’s doing so., but Mainoo had already started to show his all-round ability prior to there being a numerical advantage. He won six of the 11 duels he contested on the ground, mopped up possession on numerous occasions and showed his ability to progress the ball at speed and getMainoo’s attacking instinct is perhaps what caught the eye most. Tasked with playing vertical passes into the final third, he did so successfully on 10 separate occasions and ending up creating four chances for his team-mates. He also played a critical role in the corner routine that led to United’s opener—his perfectly weighted first-time pull back to the edge of the box allowed Bryan Mbeumo to stroke a measured shot into Guglielmo Vicario’s far corner. “There’s definitely more to come from him, that’s just the age he’s at, the stage he’s at in his career you’d like to think, he’s just starting out really essentially,” Carrick continued. “He has got so much experience under his belt in big games and pressured situations, which is going to help him develop learning the game. I’m really conscious that he’s come in, he’s played the four games and he’s found his rhythm. Young players, they have times when they’re up and then they might have a little dip. That’s not all of a sudden he’s good or he’s a poor player, Kobbie is what he is. Managing that’s really important, especially for younger players and understanding that. He’s doing fantastic at the moment, he’s having a really big impact on games, and we’ll keep working with him and helping him, trying to keep improving him as well as we go.”All of Mainoo’s international caps were earned in 2024. | Visionhaus/Getty Images Inevitably, Mainoo’s impressive return to the fold has sparked debate over whether or not he’ll be included in England’s 2026A starter in the final of Euro 2024 aged just 19—he’d become the youngest player to play a semi-final for England at a major tournament four days previously—Mainoo already has 10 international caps to his name. But he hasn’t played for the Three Lions since that breakout year, largely because of his reduced role in Manchester. “He's lacking minutes. I don't think he lacks anything else,”“He has the experience, the power, the quality, the talent to be on our list - he is on our list - but in his position No. 6, No. 8, No. 10, we have players in full rhythm and play key parts in their clubs.”Champions League , but they could be equally as important for Mainoo. Now back in the team and able to deliver what Tuchel alluded to, there’s every chance his summer plans will revolve around off to North America to help deliver a first major international trophy win in 60 years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man Utd XI vs. Tottenham: Sesko Decision Made—Injury News, Predicted LineupMichael Carrick prepares to face his former club in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Read more »
Man Utd vs. Tottenham: Preview, Predictions and LineupsThe Red Devils have won three out of three with Michael Carrick at the helm.
Read more »
Michael Carrick Drops Huge Hint Over Man Utd Future With Latest Manager Search UpdateThe Red Devils are searching for their next permanent manager.
Read more »
Man United wins again to make it four in a row for new coach Michael CarrickIt’s four Premier League wins in a row for Manchester United under Michael Carrick and a season that was unraveling just weeks ago now looks full of promise. A 2-0 victory against Tottenham extended Carrick’s 100% start as head coach and will further strengthen his case to be given the job on a long-term basis.
Read more »
Man United wins again to make it four in a row for new coach Michael CarrickIt’s four Premier League wins in a row for Manchester United under Michael Carrick and a season that was unraveling just weeks ago now looks full of promise
Read more »
Bruno Fernandes Explains Biggest Change Michael Carrick Has Made at Man UtdThe Red Devils are enjoying a rich run of form under the interim boss.
Read more »