Kobbie Mainoo gave Michael Carrick another reason to trust him on Sunday as Manchester United turned a difficult game against Ipswich Town into a convincing 5-2 win.
The 21-year-old made his first start of the season at Old Trafford and looked comfortable from the first whistle. Bruno Fernandes grabbed the headlines with his hat-trick, but Carrick was keen to point out that Mainoo’s display was just as important to the way United eventually took control.
Kobbie Mainoo had already endured a frustrating few weeks. He was selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup but didn’t get onto the pitch during the tournament. His response came in the best possible way.
Carrick delighted with Kobbie Mainoo display
Speaking to MUTV, Carrick was full of praise for the midfielder after the final whistle.
“I thought he was fantastic today, Kobbie. It was nice for him to be home again and playing here with that confidence.”
Kobbie Mainoo was making his first start after Manchester United had carefully managed the minutes of players returning from the World Cup.
“Some of the boys have been away and had different levels of football at the World Cup; they’ve played different minutes, so we’ve had to manage that over the last couple of weeks.”
Kobbie Mainoo covered plenty of ground against Ipswich, competed for the ball and helped United keep the game moving when they needed it.
Michael Carrick believes the performance showed exactly what the young midfielder can offer.
“To put in that performance today shows what Kobbie can do.”
“I was really happy with the way he played today.”
The most telling part of Carrick’s assessment came later, when he highlighted Mainoo’s contribution even while acknowledging the attention Bruno Fernandes deserved.
Kobbie Mainoo quietly played a huge role
Bruno’s three goals and assist made him the obvious player of the match, but Carrick felt Kobbie Mainoo helped give Manchester United the platform to dominate after half-time.
“You know, we kind of managed him a little bit, and we’ve got good midfielders, so it’s that trying to make the best of the combinations.”
Carrick then singled him out again.
“But I thought Kobbie, I understand Bruno will get a lot of credit today, and he deserves that as well, but I thought Kobbie was immense in the middle of the pitch for us and underpinned the performance of the team.”
Carrick’s comments tell plenty about how highly he rates Kobbie Mainoo.
There is no rush to make him the centre of everything, especially with so many midfield options now available. But performances like this make it much harder to leave him out.
Kobbie Mainoo also has another reason to keep pushing. He wants to become a regular part of England’s plans, and another display like this will only strengthen his case when the next international squad is picked.
After being left frustrated at the World Cup, he couldn’t have asked for a better answer.
For Manchester United, it was another positive sign. Fernandes may have grabbed the headlines, but Mainoo helped give Carrick the control he needed to turn the game around.
