Kobbie Mainoo has played every Premier League minute for Man United since Michael Carrick's arrival at the club
Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick in training
Kobbie Mainoo has been praised by Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick
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Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has said it’s easy to forget how young Kobbie Mainoo is due to his top performances. The midfielder has suddenly become a regular again after finding game time hard to come by under Ruben Amorim.
In the build-up to the January transfer window, Mainoo was linked with a move away due to a lack of game time. However, the change in management early last month altered the player's situation.
The 20-year-old has played the full 90 minutes of every Premier League game since the arrival of Carrick as interim boss, providing assists in wins over Arsenal and Tottenham.
The England international has been praised for his displays since coming back into the team, forming a solid partnership alongside the experienced Casemiro. Carrick has now also spoken highly of the player, having seen him develop so much from a young age.
“I've known Kobbie a long time. I started working with him when I think he was 13 or 14, when I was starting to do my coaching badges - a good few years ago. Just little bits,” he told BBC Sport. “And then, obviously, when I was here the first time, he was in and around a little bit.
“So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions... I said earlier about coaches being able to cope with being here and at the level to deal with it. What Kobbie's done at such a young age is quite incredible really."
Carrick also pointed out: “We forget how young he still is. I was just a big fan of watching him play and knowing what he was capable of.
Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo has been an ever-present for Manchester United under Michael Carrick(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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"So it wasn't really a big decision to play him. And, to be fair, it's not easy when you haven't played to find your rhythm and find your form.
“There are things he can get better at, things he can improve on, but we haven't really got started on any of that because we're just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again.
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"I've been really conscious of not giving him an awful lot - a couple of little pointers, a bit of positional things and some little bits here and there - but trust in what he is. He's a fantastic footballer and he's got a huge talent.”
Mainoo will look to continue to make an impact between now and the end of the season as fourth-placed United aim to secure their place in the Champions League places.
The team are back in action on Monday night as they travel to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.