Kobbie Mainoo was a huge talking point at Manchester United last season, and that will spill over into 2026/27 under Michael Carrick.
Last season, Manchester United fans spoke out on Kobbie Mainoo being frozen out of the squad by Ruben Amorim.
Amorim’s comments on Mainoo were bizarre. The Portuguese head coach wanted more energy from the Carrington graduate, but never gave him minutes to prove himself on the pitch.
What followed was ugly. Mainoo’s brother protested at Old Trafford, fans spoke out and, ultimately, Amorim was sacked. When Michael Carrick came in, Mainoo enjoyed a resurgence, but it has created a dangerous narrative heading into 2026/27.
If Elliot Anderson is £125m… What is Kobbie Mainoo’s market value right now?
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Kobbie Mainoo should not be seen as undroppable
Mainoo started every game under Carrick that he was available for, and it proved Amorim was extremely wrong in his judgement.
It was actually one of Carrick’s biggest victories in his caretaker stint that he managed to convince Mainoo to stay, and reports followed that Ineos wanted to build around Mainoo this summer.
That is currently what is happening. United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans already, and a third midfielder is expected to arrive, potentially the most expensive of the three.
Carrick will therefore have plenty of midfield options heading into next season. Already, there are some very interesting combinations that can be drawn up between Bruno Fernandes, Santos, Tielemans and Mainoo.
But there is a narrative building after last season that Mainoo is undroppable and must start every match. That cannot be the case.
I agree that Mainoo is the future of United’s midfield, but the Amorim saga has made us forget he is still just 21 years old.
If there is a better, more balanced combination for Carrick’s midfield next season without Mainoo, then that is okay.
However, it feels as though Carrick will be crucified by fans if he decides to drop Mainoo at any point, because the wounds from last season are still fresh. His status in the England squad is not helping, either.
What is your message to Kobbie Mainoo after Thomas Tuchel overlooked him for England again?
Mainoo has played 0 minutes in England's opening four games…
Kobbie Mainoo’s England struggles do not help Man United
Mainoo earned a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for the World Cup on the back of his resurgence under Carrick.
The call-up was well deserved and should be celebrated, but what has followed in the actual tournament has been frustrating: Mainoo has not played a single minute.
United fans have been up in arms about Mainoo being overlooked, but Tuchel is simply playing a more balanced midfield in Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson. Carrick must do the same next season, whether that includes Mainoo or not.
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Hopefully, Mainoo hits the ground running in 2026/27 and slots right back into Carrick’s starting XI without any issues, but there is now fresh competition in midfield.
United fans must be patient if Mainoo does experience a spell away from the starting XI. It is very, very different to the Amorim saga of last season.
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