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Russell Martin | Getty Images
Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Friday night
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is getting ‘more confident’, says ex-Premier League boss Russell Martin. The England international has been brought back into the fold under Michael Carrick. He has become a key player at Old Trafford again.
The Red Devils are sat in 3rd place in the table behind Arsenal and Manchester City. They are on course to return to the Champions League this season. The North West giants are back in action on Friday night with an away trip to AFC Bournemouth following their home win over Aston Villa last time out.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo hailed by Russell Martin
Martin, who has managed the likes of Swansea City, Southampton and Rangers in the past, said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "There's more balance (in midfield). Bruno (Fernandes) is playing in that position now where he can affect games in more of a free role. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are playing much closer together so there is much more central progression with the ball.
"It is something Michael and his Middlesbrough team were very good at - overloading midfield and trying to hurt teams in the middle of the pitch. In possession, with the ball, the team looks so much more balanced."
On Mainoo, he said: “Every week I see him get more confident, playing his way back in, being a bit more progressive. He can run past players with the ball. They are all looking (to get forward), I think that is the difference.”
Mainoo, 20, is starting to find his feet again at United. He was frozen out by Ruben Amorim and saw his game time dry up. However, Carrick has started to play him more and as Martin has alluded to, he is getting more up to speed now and is looking sharp.
The Stockport-born man has risen up through the academy of his current club. He was a regular at various different youth levels as a youngster before breaking into the first-team back in 2022. The prospect has since made 95 appearances in all competitions, 23 of which have come this term, and he has chipped in with seven goals.
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