Kobbie Mainoo has reemerged as a star for Manchester United since the arrival of Michael Carrick, with the interim head coach a big believer in the 20-year-old.
After spending the first half of this season under Ruben Amorim failing to play, Kobbie Mainoo now has a tight hold on his starting role, with performances that set him apart in midfield.
However, Mainoo’s form has slightly tailed off, correlating with the rest of his teammate’s form deviating from the impressive levels it was previously at.
Despite a poor game or two, Mainoo is earning his new contract at United with performances that while not perfect are still well beyond his years.
Now, Michael Carrick has discussed Mainoo and explained what is taken for granted about him.
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Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Michael Carrick says Kobbie Mainoo’s age is easily forgotten
Carrick has appeared on The 2 Robbies podcast, and discussed Mainoo’s quality and how impressed he has been with him.
“I think it’s easy to forget how young Kobbie actually is. He burst on the scene so early and had quite a big period out with not playing an awful lot of football, but it’s still so easy to take for granted how young he is, really.
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So the biggest thing, there are two big things, really, I think how he just copes naturally with being in that position and those surroundings.
And he’s played FA Cup finals, he’s played huge games, the latest stage of tournaments for England. And to be able just to cope naturally with that is a huge strength. And naturally, the way he takes the ball and manipulates the ball, he’s comfortable in doing that.”
Carrick is a big supporter of Mainoo, restoring him to the starting line-up immediately upon his appointment to the club.
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Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 1, 2026
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Mainoo on track to complete his miraculous comeback for Manchester United
Three months ago, Mainoo’s United career was on the ropes and looked all but certain to come to a close in January.
However, Amorim’s departure revitalised Mainoo and he hasn’t looked back ever since, establishing himself as a starter for the Red Devils.
United now face a nine game mini league with Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa, with one set to miss out on Champions League football.
Achieving this and then heading to the World Cup with England would mean Mainoo has completed his comeback ahead of a 2026/27 season when he will finally have a perfect partner.
United don’t need two £100m midfielders this summer, because Mainoo already could be one.
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