Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves and Red Devils boss Michael Carrick have both dropped their telling verdicts on England star Kobbie Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo started on Thursday evening and the 21-year-old Three Lions international played alongside summer signing Youri Tielemans in the first half.
The Stockport-born talent shared the pitch with Mason Mount in the second half of Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Sabah before he was subbed off at Old Trafford.
Mainoo played 64 minutes before Michael Carrick made the call to bring on Andrey Santos for the remainder of the Red Devils’ Champions League clash.
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Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester United and Sabah FC at Old Trafford on September 10, 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Michael Carrick hails the ‘massive influence’ of Kobbie Mainoo for Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo has started two of the opening three Premier League matches of the season for Manchester United and has picked up one assist for the Red Devils so far.
The England international has enjoyed a resurgence in form since Michael Carrick replaced former Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim at the Premier League club.
Mainoo had fallen out of the United starting XI under Ruben Amorim in the 2025-26 Premier League season and had been linked with a move away from the Red Devils.
Speaking after United’s 4-0 win over Sabah, Carrick put the spotlight on Mainoo’s importance to the squad and what he brings to the table during matches as well.
“He’s a fantastic player; it’s pretty obvious to see,” he told TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport.
“He has a massive influence on our games. He is a real joy to have; he wants to improve, he wants to listen and it is great to see.”
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Manchester United's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Senne Lammens, Manchester United's Moroccan defender #03 Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United's French defender #15 Leny Yoro, Manchester United's English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (front row from L to R) Manchester United's Brazilian striker #10 Matheus Cunha, Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United's Belgian midfielder #18 Youri Tielemans, Manchester United's Argentinian defender #06 Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United's Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu and Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes poses for a team photo before the UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester United and Sabah FK at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 10, 2026.
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Owen Hargreaves has already echoed Michael Carrick’s praise for Kobbie Mainoo
Before United marked their return to the Champions League, Owen Hargreaves talked up the impact that Mainoo has had since his emergence at Old Trafford.
Speaking ahead of kick-off, the former Man Utd midfielder told TNT Sports: “I have never seen him play bad. Every time I watch him play football, I think, how can somebody not play him? I think he’s a fabulous player.
“He’s an academy player and didn’t cost the club anything. When you think about the fees some players are going for, they signed Santos and Tielemans for £85m combined; [Carlos] Baleba was probably £70m. What would Kobbie be worth? More than all of them.
“I just love his game; he can do so much. He is what you build around; he is a star.”
United will now switch their focus away from the Champions League and resume their Premier League campaign against Manchester City at Old Trafford this Sunday.