Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Good news is thin on the ground for Michael Carrick at the moment – until now.
Beleaguered Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has been left scrambling after a terrible start to the 2026/27 season.
United have managed only to acquire five points from five games. It has left the club in 12th position, and fans already giving up on a title challenge.
But there is reason to be hopeful that the international break can provide a reset.
Kobbie Mainoo has given his head coach a helping hand.
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Kobbie Mainoo withdrawal: A boost
Kobbie Mainoo has withdrawn from the England squad. He will not waste his time for the coach who wasted his summer. Mainoo went to the World Cup and was not selected to play for a single minute.
Mainoo is cited with a ‘minor injury’ and will return to United. This is especially useful for Michael Carrick as it enables Mainoo to spend time training and working alongside new midfield signing Carlos Baleba.
Carlos Baleba was fit enough to be named on the Manchester United bench against Fulham, and he is expected to be in consideration to start after the international break.
Baleba was not included in Cameroon’s international squad due to his recent ankle injury. It means Baleba and Mainoo will be able to spend time training together at Carrington and becoming familiar with each other’s games.
The pair can spend additional time with Michael Carrick and his coaching staff, potentially kickstarting the team’s season. United return with a crucial fixture at home to Tottenham in early October.
There is a very strong chance that Mainoo and Baleba will be the starting midfield partnership. Both Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos will be away on international duty over the coming fortnight.
Extra time on the training ground with Carrick is no guarantee of success for Mainoo and Baleba, and Manchester United as a whole. But you would 100 per cent rather that they did have the extra time.