Michael Carrick giving the thumps-up
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick might be able to count on Kobbie Mainoo this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils have been enduring woeful times on and off the pitch. The team is winless in their last eight games across all competitions and is coming off humiliating back-to-back defeats to Como and Bournemouth.
While Carrick was largely expected to be shown the door on Monday, the management decided to keep him, perhaps due to the lack of available alternatives.
Therefore, the 45-year-old will be hoping to kickstart a revival starting from this Saturday’s clash against Chelsea, and he has already received a couple of boosts.
Kobbie Mainoo rejoins Man United training
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United passes the ball under pressure from Sander Berge of Fulham during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United passes the ball under pressure from Sander Berge of Fulham during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England.
As reported earlier in the day, Carrick held peace talks with Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes, whom he had kept on the bench during the game against Bournemouth.
The Portuguese playmaker had publicly criticised the manager’s tactics after the heavy defeat to Como, which prompted his demotion last weekend.
Fernandes might not be the only midfielder to rejoin the squad this weekend, as Mainoo could finally return to action.
From #mufc open training this morning:
Kobbie Mainoo back in training after missing last four games.
No Luke Shaw – he’s been out since Spurs.
No Marcus Rashford – he remains out with a hip injury + managing pain in his thigh.
Amir Ibragimov, Jim Thwaites and 17-year-old… pic.twitter.com/A5kUxszalu
— Danyal Khan (@DanyalHKhan) October 28, 2026
Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan reveals that the 21-year-old has returned to training after several weeks on the sidelines.
The midfielder picked up a knock during last month’s draw against Fulham just before the international, so he wasn’t able to join England’s squad despite receiving a call-up from Thomas Tuchel.
On the contrary, Mainoo’s compatriots Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford have yet to recover from their respective injuries.
Why Mainoo’s return could be a turning point for Man Utd
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Since Carrick’s appointment in January, Mainoo has been an integral member of the starting lineup, contrary to Ruben Amorim’s reign, when he was left to rot on the bench.
And since United bought Carlos Baleba in August, the fans have been itching to see the Cameroonian linking up with Mainoo. But just when Baleba recovered from his injury, the Englishman picked up a knock.
With all due respect to Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, most fans and observers believe Mainoo and Baleba are the best possible combination in the double pivot, as the Cameroonian’s physicality and ball-winning ability perfectly complement the Englishman’s elusive technical skills.
Therefore, if these two can strike a quick understanding in the middle of the park, and Fernandes finds his form again, the whole team could start functioning again.
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