Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Michael Carrick’s Clean Slate Shows Kobbie Mainoo’s Importance To Man United

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 11:50 AM ET

Kobbie Mainoo was relegated to a reduced role under previous Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim. The arrival of interim head coach Michael Carrick has breathed new life into the career of the promising 20-year-old midfielder.

Had Amorim not forced himself out of the Old Trafford dugout through his clashes with United’s hierarchy, Mainoo would have likely been sent out on loan during the January transfer window.

Carrick has installed Mainoo in a central midfield partnership alongside Casemiro in a 4-4-2 formation. It’s a move that United supporters have been begging for all season long.

Against Manchester derby rivals Man City, Mainoo stood out in his role of shielding the back four, and he plugged spaces to deny City attacks. His 83.5 high pressures per 90 minutes only trails Everton's Merlin Rohl (88.7) among Premier League players.

What was most impressive about Mainoo’s performance was that he was able to step in and contribute heavily to United’s 2-0 shutout victory over their intracity rivals, considering his lack of match sharpness.

Mainoo’s Man United Career Is Back on Track

Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)Copa/Getty Images

There’s no reason why Mainoo’s career should have stalled at Old Trafford. He immediately impressed as a teenager and earned a nomination for Premier League Young Player of the Season at age 18.

The 5-foot-9 midfielder has shown throughout his young career that he’s a big-match player. He impressed former England manager Gareth Southgate into making him a starting XI regular at Euro 2024.

Mainoo became the youngest England player to appear in a semifinal of a major tournament, and he started in England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

He scored his first professional goal against bitter rivals Liverpool, and he delivered the winning goal in United’s 2-1 victory over Man City in the 2024 FA Cup Final, earning himself the Man of the Match.

Now, he’s being given a second life. Carrick’s belief in him could change the trajectory of his career, and the Red Devils will benefit from giving him the development that he requires to make good on his star potential.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: