Kobbie Mainoo was superb again for Man Utd as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Premier League and the academy graduate is in a good run of form.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo had another superb game for United against Tottenham
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Michael Carrick believes Kobbie Mainoo has plenty of room to improve despite praising another outstanding midfield performance from the 20-year-old against Tottenham.
Mainoo didn't start any of the first 20 games of the Premier League season but has been back in favour since Ruben Amorim was sacked and he has started all four games under Carrick, with United winning all of them.
The academy graduate is getting better by the week and ran the show against Spurs, with Carrick delighted with the midfielder's performance. Mainoo has also struck up an excellent partnership with Casemiro and the United head coach also believes the youngster is learning a lot from the five-times Champions League winner.
"There's definitely more to come from him, and that's just the stage he's at in his career, he's just starting out, essentially," said Carrick. "He's got so much experience under his belt, of big occasions, big games, and pressurised situations.
"That's going to help him develop, learn the game and playing next to Case, and learning off him, things that he's probably not even realising he's picking up, just playing next to him as well as the other players around him. I think that's just part of his journey to learn and develop.
"As I said, I'm really conscious that he's come in, he's played the four games, and he's found his rhythm. Young players will 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 for, especially for younger players, and understanding that. So he's done fantastic at the moment. He's having a really big impact on games and we'll keep working with him and helping him, try and keep improving him as well as we go."
Mainoo's form is all the more impressive given he had such a bit-part role at United while Amorim in charge. He has quickly rediscovered his best form and Carrick has been pleased with his response.
"Yeah, there's no doubt, Kobbie's ability, of what he can bring," he said. "I think he's still so young and just be careful about putting all this so much right on his shoulders and expecting so much of him.
"I think he's still learning the game, he's had a big high, and then, obviously, he didn't play for a little 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 found his rhythm of football, which is not easy after a period of time out.
"We know he can handle the ball, and hopefully over time, which I'm sure he'll keep improving, you know, and he's got to be patient and not expect too much from him all the time."