Michael Carrick is setting Kobbie Mainoo up to show one Manchester United legend what he is truly capable of in the Red Devils midfield in the 2026-27 campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo has experienced a season of ups and downs after his time under interim boss Michael Carrick and former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
The 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder experienced a major turning point with Ruben Amorim’s sacking as the club’s manager and the arrival of Carrick.
Mainoo opened his goalscoring account under United legend Carrick on Sunday afternoon in the Red Devils’ showdown with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick has now beaten Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Villa, and Chelsea – Do you want him to be the permanent manager?
What did he get right (and wrong) vs Liverpool?
Roy Keane’s pre-match comments around Man Utd and England star Kobbie Mainoo came back to haunt him
Kobbie Mainoo has started all but one of the 14 Premier League matches that Michael Carrick has overseen since Ruben Amorim was axed by Manchester United.
The Red Devils talent stepped up in a major way at Old Trafford at the weekend after Mainoo scored the winner for Man Utd against rivals Liverpool.
Man Utd dropped their 2-0 lead over Liverpool early in the second half before Mainoo’s stunning long-range strike restored the Red Devils’ lead on the day.
Speaking ahead of the match, Roy Keane admitted that he might be a “harsh critic” of Mainoo after sitting on the fence about his resurgence as a midfield player.
“I’m still not convinced with him,” he said on Sky Sports, as per the Metro.
“I think he’s a really good young player, he’s still a kid, he’s only played 70-odd first team games.
“He’s obviously been involved in the England squad, but he still hasn’t convinced me. I hope he does next year.
“I can be a harsh critic of midfield players; I was very critical of myself. I still think the kid has to do a lot more.
“Has he got a chance? Of course, he’s got a chance. He’s still learning.”
Kobbie Mainoo LOVES scoring vs Liverpool at the Stretford End – which goal was best, his strike in 2026 or 2024?
Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence in form is the key to proving Roy Keane wrong in the 2026-27 campaign
Keane admitted after the match that Mainoo did impress him in the Liverpool match, with the Man Utd and England star putting in a steady shift at Old Trafford.
Mainoo’s performance equally caught the eye of United fans for all the right reasons and the Three Lions international is currently on cloud nine in the post-Amorim era.
The United youth academy product’s season was already disrupted significantly after former Red Devils boss Amorim dropped him from the Red Devils starting XI.
Mainoo’s resurgence has been nothing short of miraculous after he had been starved of important Man Utd first-team minutes before Carrick made his return to the club.
With the second half of the season sparking his career revival and a new contract under his belt, Mainoo has the foundation to make a major impact next season.
That is also not to mention potentially representing England at the World Cup and/or playing in the United pre-season tour to help put him in the best place possible.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
