Mainoo represents Manchester United’s progress under Carrick in victory against Spurs.
MANCHESTER, England — In a different scenario, Kobbie Mainoo could be representing a club other than Manchester United at this moment. He might have donned the light blue of Napoli, as the Serie A champions expressed interest in acquiring the midfielder during his challenging season under Ruben Amorim.
However, Mainoo’s difficult period has been alleviated by head coach Michael Carrick instead of Antonio Conte. With the 20-year-old back in the fold and sporting red, United and Carrick have achieved four consecutive Premier League victories.
The most recent, a 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, was significantly influenced by Cristian Romero’s first-half red card, as well as Mainoo’s composed display in the midfield.
– Carrick has rekindled optimism at Man United. What more can he accomplish?
– Each Premier League team reranked: Man United are performing well now
– Ronaldo to Sporting? Messi to Newell’s? Potential nostalgic returns
It is common to analyze the factors behind such a notable improvement in results. The two most apparent changes are the transition from a three-man defense to a four-man setup and the decision to reintegrate Mainoo into the lineup.
There are justifiable reasons to empathize with Amorim. Nevertheless, it is challenging to comprehend how the Portuguese manager concluded that his team was significantly better off without Mainoo. He has already accumulated more Premier League minutes under Carrick this season than he did during Amorim’s tenure.
“There’s no doubt about Kobbie’s talent and what he can contribute,” Carrick stated after the match. “He is still quite young and is in the process of learning the game. He has experienced a significant high and then a period without playing. It is easy to perceive him as older than he actually is.”
It is likely that after an extended period on the bench, Mainoo is still working to regain his rhythm. He may have lost some match sharpness while being sidelined — although one might not notice it from his performance — but he has not forgotten how to manipulate the ball effectively.
Take United’s first goal as an example. United first-team coach Jonny Evans received acknowledgment from Carrick for devising the short-corner strategy that put the home team ahead after 38 minutes. While the concept was clever, it succeeded largely due to Mainoo’s perfectly timed run from the front post to the corner flag, coupled with his no-look, over-the-shoulder pass to Bryan Mbeumo, which was precise.
This type of skill is something Mainoo demonstrates repeatedly throughout a match. Most instances go largely unnoticed. However, this particular play resulted in a crucial goal as United scored less than 10 minutes following Romero’s red card. “The first goal is crucial to take the lead,” Carrick remarked afterward.
Another subtle flick in the second half set up Diogo Dalot’s cross for Bruno Fernandes to extend the lead to 2-0. This effectively eliminated any chance of a Spurs comeback and ensured that United would conclude the weekend still positioned in the top four.
Mainoo also provided an assist in the 3-2 victory against Arsenal, and his recent performances raise the possibility that he could make a late push for a spot in England’s FIFA World Cup squad. If he continues this form leading up to the next international break in March, it will be challenging for England manager Thomas Tuchel to overlook him. Impressing in the final camp before the trip to the U.S. could secure him a place on the plane. It was less than two years ago that Mainoo, then a teenager, started for his country in the European Championship final.
“There is certainly more to come,” Carrick noted. “That is the phase he is in at this point in his career. He is learning the game, playing alongside Casemiro, and absorbing knowledge from him. There are aspects he may not even realize he is gaining. That is part of his journey to learn and grow.”
Rapid changes have occurred for Mainoo, as well as for Spurs manager Thomas Frank. Not long ago, the Danish coach was highly sought after at Brentford and was being pursued by clubs, including United. Now, there are uncertainties regarding his future at Tottenham.
play1:59Michallik criticizes ‘liability’ Romero after red card vs. Man United
Janusz Michallik responds to Cristian Romero’s red card for Tottenham against Man United.
Whether it involves being photographed with an Arsenal cup or having to defend Romero, his captain, after an ill-conceived social media post, it appears to be one challenge after another for Frank. In this instance, Romero was dismissed after 29 minutes for an unnecessary yet aggressive tackle on Casemiro, and then Mbeumo — a player he developed at Brentford and attempted to sign for Spurs in the summer — scored the opening goal. This led to Frank standing in the Manchester rain while United fans chanted, “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
“There is no alternative but to keep pushing forward,” he stated after the match. “We will certainly do that, but in life and football, there are difficult periods, and we must confront them. There is no other option.”
While Frank attempts to uplift Tottenham after a seventh consecutive league match without a victory, Carrick is enjoying a successful run. Spurs had become a troublesome opponent under Amorim, with him losing three and drawing one of his four encounters, including a devastating defeat in the UEFA Europa League final in May. However, Tottenham was decisively defeated by Carrick in their first meeting, and United is now unbeaten in eight matches for the first time since February 2022.
The question that plagued Amorim for an extended period was when United would secure back-to-back league victories. Now, supporters leaving Old Trafford are discussing the potential for UEFA Champions League football next season. More optimistic fans are even contemplating whether there remains a chance to catch Arsenal and Manchester City at the top.
Football has a tendency to change rapidly. Just ask Carrick, Frank, and Mainoo.
