What a difference a few months can make in football. Under Ruben Amorim, Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United career was in danger of fizzling out.
The 21-year-old burst onto the scene under Erik Ten Hag during the 2023/24 campaign, having got a taste for action the previous year.
He featured in 32 games for the Red Devils throughout Ten Hag’s final full season in charge, even starting in the stunning FA Cup final success over Manchester City. His goal at Wembley turned out to be the winner, while his stock rose with each passing game.
Mainoo started each of England’s four knockout stage matches at Euro 2024. Was this one of the finest young talents the nation had produced in quite some time?
As the adage goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, although Amorim clearly viewed Mainoo as the former as opposed to the latter. Indeed, the youngster started a solitary game under the former Sporting CP manager this season – the League Cup defeat to Grimsby – and his future looked bleak.
Step forward, Michael Carrick.
Mainoo has gone from zero to hero in recent months
Carrick wasted no time in giving Mainoo a starring role in his team, unleashing the midfielder from the start against Manchester City.
A solid display in an impressive 2-0 victory convinced the interim manager to keep Mainoo in the starting XI. Indeed, he has started 13 of United’s 14 Premier League matches under Carrick, missing the Leeds game due to a knock.
The Red Devils suffered a 2-1 defeat in that tie. Coincidence? The way Mainoo has been playing, Carrick certainly missed him in the heart of the midfield during that match.
United have since won three consecutive matches in the top flight, sealing a return to the Champions League in the process. Not only has Mainoo been excellent at controlling the tempo of matches, but his ability to initiate attacks also hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially from the manager.
“I thought on the back of the Chelsea game, where he was particularly good and showed similar things, with a bit of everything. His build-up play, his taking of the ball, his creation and starting the attacks, he’s so effective with that,” said Carrick after the win against Brentford.
“But definitely, his duels, his 1v1s, recovery runs and back-tackling – over the last two games he’s taken that up a level. It’s great to see that he can do it.”
Stepped up against Liverpool
Mainoo’s display against Liverpool over the weekend was yet more evidence of his influence, both from a defensive and attacking standpoint. He scored his first goal under Carrick, a goal that wrapped up a spot in the Champions League and a league double over the Anfield outfit.
Furthermore, he made six passes into the final third, succeeded with 100% of his dribbles and won five of his seven ground duels throughout the match.
Add in his ten defensive contributions – including seven recoveries – Mainoo was everywhere at Old Trafford on Sunday.
On the scrapheap just five months ago, Mainoo has now signed a contract extension until 2031. A sign of things to come, perhaps?
The World Cup is now surely on his mind.
Mainoo is peaking just in time for the World Cup
Mainoo’s excellent club form was rewarded by Thomas Tuchel, who called up the 21-year-old for the friendlies against Japan and Uruguay in March.
He was given a 21-minute cameo against the South Americans before starting the clash against Japan. That was the perfect opportunity to prove to the manager that he deserves a place at the World Cup.
Operating alongside Elliot Anderson at the heart of the midfield, Mainoo recorded a 94% pass success rate during his time on the pitch, along with making nine defensive recoveries.
Despite England suffering a 1-0 defeat, the United youngster played well enough, and it could give Tuchel something to ponder. Just being in this position is a bonus, especially considering he was on the periphery a few months ago under Amorim.
With three games to go, Mainoo will be determined to continue his momentum. If so, it should see him secure a place in the squad bound for North America.
