Manchester United and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee has talked up what he has seen from Kobbie Mainoo while playing alongside the England midfielder.
Kobbie Mainoo had a dramatic turnaround in form in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign after Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager.
The 21-year-old Stockport-born midfielder had been left battling for United first-team minutes at Old Trafford ahead of the arrival of Michael Carrick in January.
Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as United boss and the 44-year-old Red Devils legend immediately restored Mainoo to the starting XI last season.
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Joshua Zirkzee is impressed by the ‘nerves of steel’ that Man Utd and England star Kobbie Mainoo shows
Kobbie Mainoo started all but one match under Manchester United legend Michael Carrick during the second half of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
The England international equally impressed by finishing the full 90 minutes in 15 of the 16 Premier League matches that he played under Carrick last season.
Speaking to Man Utd’s official magazine, Joshua Zirkzee was asked what rating he felt that Mainoo handed down on himself on a scale of being ‘calm’ to ‘nervous.’
The 25-year-old Dutch forward admitted his surprise after he learned that Mainoo did not big up his ‘calmness,’ with the England ace being resistant to “pressure.”
“One [for calmness]?” Zirkzee asked, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“Did he not? Kobbie is the definition of calm. You can’t put pressure on him.”
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We nearly lost him…!
Kobbie Mainoo’s success for Man Utd in the 2025-26 campaign carved his path back to the England squad for the World Cup
Mainoo is one of the many United players who are away from Old Trafford due to the World Cup tournament in North America this summer.
The United youth academy product’s success last season was more than enough to allow Mainoo to climb back into the England national team during the March break.
Thomas Tuchel would later call up Mainoo for England’s World Cup squad this summer after the Man Utd talent’s impact under former interim boss Carrick.
However, Mainoo has been an unused substitute for England boss Thomas Tuchel during the Three Lions’ opening three Group L matches at the World Cup.
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