With Kobbie Mainoo, an English super talent is back on track. Left behind by former coach Rúben Amorim, the jewel is now flourishing again.
“Kobbie Mainoo will be the future of Manchester United.” With this sentence, Manchester United’s then-coach, Rúben Amorim, drew attention to himself at the end of December.
The piquant detail: under his management, the English midfield gem did not start a single Premier League game this season. Only in the League Cup did he manage a starting spot – and that was precisely in the debacle against fourth-tier side Grimsby Town.
Kobbie Mainoo is suddenly important again
So how was the 20-year-old supposed to develop and become the future of the Red Devils?
United Gem: Shirt Gate and Fan Chants
This not only caused astonishment among English experts. Mainoo’s half-brother also seemed annoyed by the limited playing time. He had photographed himself in the Old Trafford wearing a black shirt with the inscription “Free Kobbie Mainoo” and then spread the picture on social networks.
Mainoo’s exclusion also led to incomprehension among the fans, which they repeatedly made clear to the United coach through loud chants. It was therefore not surprising that the youngster was repeatedly linked with a move in the winter.
Just a few days later, something did indeed change. However, primarily for Amorim himself, as the officials of the traditional club from Manchester pulled the plug on January 5th and relieved the coach of his duties.
Everything Changed After Coaching Change
As it would turn out in the coming time, this was a stroke of luck for Mainoo. Interim coach Michael Carrick sided with the fans’ wishes when he immediately put Mainoo in the starting XI for his first game in charge, a 2-0 derby win against Manchester City.
From then on, the young Englishman, alongside Casemiro in the defensive midfield role, was again a permanent fixture in Manchester United’s midfield and started every game. Even if it didn’t lead to goals or assists, the Red Devils’ resurgence under Carrick – including five undefeated games in a row – is likely also linked to Mainoo.
England Legend Levels Harsh Criticism
“Since I knew Kobbie from the beginning and knew what he could bring to the team, it was my idea to include him in the team,” explained Carrick. The fact that Mainoo comes from the United academy and thus shows parallels to Carrick’s own playing career also played a role for the coach: “From the club’s perspective, there is an ideal scenario to bring players through the academy, have them in the team, and let them complete their careers at this club.”
However, the new coach also warns: “We have to be careful and not expect too much from him. He is still learning the game. He had a big surge and then, of course, didn’t play for a while.”
Nevertheless, Carrick is impressed by the English gem: “You have to give him credit for settling in well and finding his rhythm in football. That’s not easy after a break, both physically and mentally.”
Kobbie Mainoo was in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024
TV pundit and striker legend Gary Lineker found strong words on the Mainoo topic in the podcast ” Rest is Football “: “If I were Kobbie Mainoo – and I say this in jest – I would consider whether I should sue him (Amorim – Editor’s note ). He stole a year of this boy’s career.”
England: World Cup Still in Sight?
Despite the “stolen year,” Mainoo is unlikely to have given up hope for a successful end to the season. Because with the World Cup in the USA, a career highlight could still be ahead. The last time Mainoo was in the Three Lions squad was in September 2024.
By summer, he should still get several chances under Carrick to recommend himself to Thomas Tuchel and jump on the World Cup train at the last moment. “He has taken the opportunity in recent weeks, and I am sure he will continue to do so,” Carrick predicted.