Michael Carrick’s immediate interim head coach reign has saved Manchester United fans from the biggest heartbreak after only three matches in the 2025-26 season.
The 44-year-old Manchester United legend’s fairytale start to life in the Old Trafford hot seat has continued after Sunday afternoon’s dramatic 3-2 Premier League result.
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Michael Carrick watched on from the dugout as Man Utd blew a 2-0 lead against Fulham late in the second half of their Premier League encounter at the weekend.
Casemiro had put Man Utd into the lead over Fulham in the first half before Red Devils summer signing Matheus Cunha netted early in the second half of the tie.
With Raul Jimenez and Kevin pulling Fulham level at the weekend, Benjamin Sesko ensured that United clinched all three Premier League points deep into injury time.
READ MORE: Steve Bruce singles out ‘immaculate’ Senne Lammens and ‘natural’ Man Utd ‘talent’ who caught his eye vs Fulham
Michael Carrick looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Michael Carrick’s return might have stopped Man Utd fans from experiencing their worst nightmare around Kobbie Mainoo
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone said during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Fulham that Kobbie Mainoo could have been ‘playing for Napoli’ had things played out his way.
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Kobbie Mainoo was linked with Napoli last summer and the Man Utd midfielder’s future took an ugly turn under Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Is Ruben Amorim not playing Kobbie Mainoo the worst decision you can remember from a recent Man Utd manager?
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The 20-year-old Red Devils talent was left fighting for United first-team minutes and speculation continued to mount over a potential exit in the 2026 January window.
United blocked Mainoo’s loan exit before deadline day in 2025 after the Stockport-born player fell down the pecking order under ex-Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
Mainoo put in a steady showing against Fulham, but Red Devils supporters are fortunate that he is still at the club ahead of the January transfer window closing.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans have lot to say about Casemiro after midfielder’s performance vs Fulham, ‘we seriously dropped…’
Michael Carrick’s use of Kobbie Mainoo might be the perfect springboard for his Man Utd career
Ruben Amorim was sacked as Man Utd manager last month and it was the biggest blessing for United fans when it comes to the future of Mainoo at Old Trafford.
The January transfer window will close on Monday at 7pm UK time and there is no doubt that Mainoo will see out the remainder of the 2025-26 season at the club.
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Rewind across the last few months and United fans were left biting their nails over whether or not Mainoo could try to force a loan move away in the January window.
However, Mainoo has been reintegrated into the starting XI and the England international appears to be returning to his best form with each match passing.
It’s daunting for United fans to think of the idea of Mainoo wearing the Napoli colours after Michael Carrick’s immediate utilisation of the Three Lions ace.
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