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Interim Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League clash against arch rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
United need a win to clinch Champions League football next season, although a draw might be enough if Brighton don’t get three points against Newcastle on Saturday.
### Injury News
Carrick was first asked about the fitness of Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw.
“No, we’re in good shape really,” he answered. “Matheus has done a little bit of work so we’re hopeful, we’re not sure but we’re hopeful. So obviously Matta’s still a little bit further, he’s not involved in the game but other than that, yeah, we’re in good shape.”
The next reporter asked “obviously yesterday the club announced Kobbie Mainoo signed his new deal till 2031. How big a boost is that to the club? And I saw Jason Wilcox describe him as one of the most naturally gifted young footballers in the world. What’s your take on him?”
Carrick replied:
“Yeah, I’ve been hugely impressed with Kobbie since I’ve been here. I’ve known him quite some time and in different capacities, but certainly been aware of him for a long time. And he epitomises this football club, you know, young players coming through the academy, living, living, breathing the club and coming through with real talent. I’ve seen what he’s doing, the last couple of games particularly, I think he’s been fantastic and the natural thing and the evolution is to obviously sign a new contract. So everyone’s over the moon with that, including me, because I think he deserves it.”
The BBC’s Simon Stone then asked:
“When we spoke to you a couple of weeks ago about Leeds, we spoke about the rivalry, and you’ve not played that often against them. Clearly you’ve played quite often against Liverpool. Would you still regard it as the biggest game for Manchester United, no matter where the clubs are in the league?”
The boss answered:
“Certainly one of my favourite games, yeah, without doubt. I think it’s a standout game. I think there’s obviously big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but certainly this one is right up there in the history, the ups and downs the past has produced in these type of games, and the excitement and entertainment, and the emotion, which is a huge part of it. It makes it a really special game.”
Stone asked “If you think about the game, what thing do you think of first?”
“It’s just that edge and that competition, really, and irrespective of league positions over the years, of who’s been on top at certain times or whatever, it’s never really changed the feeling of the game and the emotion and the supporters,” Carrick answered. “And really appreciating what it means to the supporters, I think we have to do that. It’s just a special game, you know, to be part of, and obviously to come out on top is one of the best feelings you’ll get.”
The subject then moved back Mainoo’s new deal.
“He hadn’t started a Premier League game until your return,” the reporter noted. “I just wondered, putting football aside, what was it like to first talk to him when you came back? Because I imagine he probably wasn’t full of confidence having not played a lot of football, maybe having that first dip of the early part of his career. So what was that like with Kobbie the person rather than Kobbie as a footballer?”
The Wallsend man replied:
“Like all the players, I think trying to get that connection and understanding and building relationships, certainly understanding what it had looked like for Kobbie over the last 2, 3 years and the ups and the downs and the big highs and some challenging times and letting him thrive, just giving him that platform to go and be himself.”
“And I think he’s evolved, he’s improving all the time. I think you can see that the more responsibility, the more confidence, the more belief he keeps adding to his game, and he’s certainly done that. But yeah, just giving him that platform and that opportunity to go and be the best version, and he’s done fantastic with it. There’s more to come, there’s loads more to come. I keep saying that for some time because he’s such a young man, you know, but he’s in a great spot at the moment.”
More to follow … please refresh page every few minutes …
_Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images_
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