The mark of Kobbie Mainoo in Manchester United's streak of success

Once overlooked, Kobbie Mainoo is now clearly present in Manchester United’s flow. Interim coach Michael Carrick pulled Mainoo out of the nightmare period under Ruben Amorim. When the 20-year-old midfielder returned to the starting eleven, MU revived strongly and secured four straight Premier League wins.

MU’s positive run stems from two key changes: Carrick’s switch to a four-defender system and reinstating Mainoo at the central role. Carrick, once a midfield icon for the Red Devils, saw in Mainoo a reflection of his own qualities from years ago: quiet, composed, intelligent, and always prioritizing the team’s benefit.

Mainoo has featured much more regularly in the Premier League this season since Carrick arrived at Old Trafford, far more than under Amorim. He quickly regained his rhythm on the pitch. Watching him play, it seems his touch and feel for the game never faded despite his time spent sidelined.

The match against Tottenham marked Mainoo’s fourth consecutive start. The young midfielder shone again in the impressive win over the Spurs. For the opening goal, Mainoo’s perfectly timed run and precise pass set up Bryan Mbeumo’s finish. In the second half, his delicate touch created space for Diogo Dalot to cross for Bruno Fernandes to seal the 2-0 scoreline.

Earlier, Mainoo also provided an assist in the 3-2 victory against Arsenal.

In Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation, Mainoo partners Casemiro as the double pivot. The understanding between them is helping Mainoo develop significantly. The experience and maturity of the Brazilian midfielder allow the young English talent to confidently control the tempo and make decisions. Mainoo not only excels at ball distribution but also frequently appears at the right moments to recover possession and cut off the opponents’ rare counterattacks.

Mainoo and Casemiro form a harmonious blend of youth and experience. If Casemiro is the steel wall, Mainoo is the water flowing around its base: soft yet persistent. Mainoo’s standout trait isn’t a single skill but his ability to connect everything. He reads the game swiftly, positions himself cleverly to always open purposeful passing lanes, eagerly supports attacks, and when possession is lost, instinctively drops back to shield spaces.

In Carrick’s setup, Mainoo acts like the heartbeat of the match. This system allows Mainoo to appear in all crucial zones, offering comprehensive offense and defense like a compass that keeps the team oriented. His performance against Tottenham once again proved that Mainoo is no longer just a promising young talent but a truly influential midfielder in the Red Devils’ style of play.

Previously, when overlooked, Mainoo could have left to join another club instead of staying at MU. Napoli showed multiple interests during the club’s downturn under Ruben Amorim, and his departure once seemed likely. But when Michael Carrick arrived, he pulled Mainoo out of those dark days. The coach helped the 20-year-old return to MU’s starting lineup and revived the young talent’s career.

The young English midfielder has delivered outstanding performances against top teams like Man City, Arsenal, and Tottenham, directly dispelling earlier doubts. His ability to control the midfield and his fiery attitude on the pitch have been impressive.

Ahead of Mainoo lies a long journey where challenges will no longer be about waiting for chances but maintaining consistency at the highest level. If he keeps up his recent high-level performances until the March international break, the likelihood of being called up by England coach Thomas Tuchel is very high. Mainoo started in a EURO final two years ago.