Manchester United’s 2025/26 season is “Pre-Kobbie Mainoo” and “Post-Kobbie Mainoo”, and the player let Michael Carrick know that.
It is no secret that Man Utd were well on course to lose a generational talent in Kobbie Mainoo after Ruben Amorim failed to utilise him.
Restoring him to the team was the easiest win Michael Carrick had, and he took it from the very first game.
That move changed the trajectory of United’s season, ending with UCL qualification and a World Cup berth for Mainoo.
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What Kobbie Mainoo told Michael Carrick after World Cup call-up
Mainoo has been a big fan of Carrick ever since he arrived, and had already championed for him to get the permanent Man Utd manager job long before it officially happened.
It goes without saying that without Carrick replacing Amorim, Mainoo wouldn’t be at the World Cup right now.
Forget the World Cup, he wouldn’t even be at United right now, as they were willing to sell him for £40m last summer in the name of backing Amorim.
Carrick’s arrival changed the entire trajectory of Mainoo’s career, just as Amorim’s arrival threatened to do the same.
The player’s first words to Carrick after he got his call-up echoed the same sentiment; the shade thrown at Amorim was extremely clear.
The Portuguese almost took away Mainoo’s opportunity to be at his maiden World Cup, a decision that looks worse and worse with every passing day.
No wonder he’s grateful to Carrick, and doesn’t miss the chance to talk about playing time when crediting the current manager.
The previous one didn’t give him any, all based on flimsy reasoning which hasn’t stood the test of time.
Mainoo can hammer home his comeback story at the World Cup
Mainoo’s pre-Amorim career was like a rocket ship that kept going up and up, with the peak coming at the 2024 Euros.
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He came out of nowhere to become England’s marquee man in that tournament, despite it being his first taste of senior international competition.
International football’s methodical pace suits Mainoo’s playing style even more, and in Elliot Anderson, he’ll potentially have an all-action midfielder next to him.
This is a great chance for Mainoo to hammer home the comeback story that began with Carrick replacing Amorim.
Nothing will throw more shade at Amorim than Mainoo taking the World Cup by storm after repairing his reputation at Man Utd.
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