Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has received an early boost at Old Trafford ahead of the forthcoming November international break.
Both Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the Three Lions’ upcoming November international break.
While England might miss out on Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, as a Manchester United fan, this is the perfect music to my ears right now.
If they missed out on a major international tournament like the World Cup or the European Championships, I would feel differently. However, that is not the case here.
Why Michael Carrick is the biggest winner from Man Utd duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford not featuring for England
The last thing that Michael Carrick needs — even ahead of the Aston Villa match on Sunday — is how the Manchester United first-team squad will look after the November international break. Carrick’s priority, above anything else, is trying to see a major momentum shift for United after a chaotic start to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford.
Carrick needs a springboard for the United players to show their desire to fight for the badge and be fully invested in turning around the Red Devils’ season. It is for that reason that Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford’s absences from the Three Lions squad are perfect at this moment in time.
Mainoo has been easing himself back into United first-team action after he missed four consecutive matches due to an injury. The 21-year-old Stockport-born talent collected minutes in his second-half return cameo in United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.
Mainoo’s momentum was clear on Tuesday evening after he returned to fitness to play the full 90 minutes of Man Utd’s 3-2 comeback win over Roma in the Champions League fixture at Old Trafford. The Three Lions star’s presence in the midfield was undeniable and Mainoo stood out against Roma for all the right reasons.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Statman Dave shared key statistics for Kobbie Mainoo’s 90-minute performance in Man Utd’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Serie A side Roma:
Touches: 97
Passing accuracy: 84 per cent
Passes into the final third: 15
Ball recoveries: 12
Line-breaking passes: 7
Attempted take-ons: 4
Successful take-ons: 3
Progressive carries: 3
Tackles: 3
Rashford, on the other hand, is a whole different kettle of fish to Mainoo’s situation. The 29-year-old former Barcelona and Aston Villa forward has been absent from United’s last four matches across all competitions due to a persistent hip injury. Rashford remains a doubt for the Villa match on late Sunday afternoon, but the Three Lions star’s absence from Thomas Tuchel’s 25-man squad is important.
Rashford is a key left winger option for Carrick and his absence on the sideline has hit hard with Patrick Dorgu’s injury setback. Carrick lost Patrick Dorgu to a hamstring issue during the extended October break, highlighting the exact reason why Rashford and Mainoo’s forms are more important for their club right now.
Rashford has been reintegrated into the first-team squad under United manager Carrick and the Three Lions forward has not scored or assisted in his eight appearances so far. The nine-day break from the November break is important for Rashford to remain club-focused on his recovery at the Carrington training complex.
How Marcus Rashford has performed for Man Utd across all competitions in the 2026-27 campaign at Old Trafford after his summer return from Barcelona:
Appearances: 8
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
Total minutes played: 501 minutes
The November international break essentially acts as a ‘soft reset’ period for Rashford. An opportunity for the Red Devils forward to properly work on his full fitness before he returns to the pitch at Old Trafford. United legend Carrick needs Rashford motivated rather than trying to push for his return and repeating a vicious cycle around his hip problem.
Carrick and his United coaching staff could take the opportunity to work on individual — or collective — training programmes for Rashford and Mainoo while England play their Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain. The additional time and space to work with both Rashford and Mainoo would be as beneficial from a tactical standpoint as it would be from getting them back to full fitness.
“We showed a really quick response and improved a lot last season and it shows what is possible, but again, sustaining it is the key,” Carrick said at Friday’s pre-match press conference, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Consistency is the key. There’s no other way of doing it. There’s no shortcuts to it. And, in the end, that’s where you get to, but it’s definitely possible.”
Consistency is essential throughout the United squad, including getting Rashford and Mainoo in the best place possible once the November international break ends.