Former England manager Sam Allardyce has highlighted the transformative impact that Kobbie Mainoo and another key Manchester United first-team player have had under Michael Carrick.
Kobbie Mainoo has finally seen his place in the Manchester United starting XI restored in the post-Ruben Amorim era at the Premier League club.
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The 20-year-old Red Devils midfielder has started and completed the full 90 minutes in back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time in the 2025-26 season.
Michael Carrick started Mainoo in United’s 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford and the midfielder impressed with his display.
Following Man Utd’s result over Manchester City, Mainoo continued his key role from the heart of the Red Devils midfield in the 3-2 result over Arsenal at the Emirates.
Sam Allardyce on the role of Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire under Man Utd interim head coach Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has also turned to Harry Maguire as a key United first-team player during the early part of his interim head coach reign at the Premier League club.
Harry Maguire missed the tail end of former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s reign due to an injury that he suffered against Tottenham last November.
However, the 32-year-old England international started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Lisandro Martinez in Carrick’s first two matches in charge.
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Speaking after Man Utd’s 3-2 win over Arsenal, Sam Allardyce singled out both Kobbie Mainoo and Maguire for their roles in Carrick’s tactical system already.
“A lot [has changed], two reasons,” he said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“Not just this game but the Man City game. But bringing players back that [have] been bombed, you know, Mainoo and Harry Maguire particularly.
“I think then changing the system and lifting up the spirit and the energy of the whole squad that didn’t appear to be there enough. It was there at times but not there enough previously.”
Sam Allardyce on the verdict of Man Utd players under Michael Carrick so far after the Man City and Arsenal results
Carrick has collected six points from a possible six after two sensational Man Utd wins against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester City.
Allardyce has been deeply impressed by the Red Devils so far and the former England manager is curious if the United players can keep up their momentum.
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“So, I give him [Carrick] full marks in terms of that,” he said.
“Now, can he get the players to keep it up?”
United are fourth in the Premier League table under interim boss Carrick and the Red Devils will return to action against Fulham on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.
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