Michael Carrick has already made his plan for Kobbie Mainoo clear amid his appointment as Manchester United’s caretaker manager.
Manchester United will confirm Michael Carrick as their interim manager until the end of the season after Rúben Amorim was dismissed last week.
The Portuguese head coach was relieved of his duties following a 1–1 draw with Leeds United, amid reports of tensions with key figures behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
United subsequently decided to place the team under a caretaker manager for the remainder of the campaign while they identify a long-term replacement ahead of the summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was initially considered the leading option due to his familiarity with the club, with Director of Football Jason Wilcox understood to favour the Norwegian. However, Carrick stood out during the interview process and ultimately secured the position.
The 44-year-old’s first match in charge will be the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, before United travel to face Arsenal in what promises to be a challenging follow-up fixture.
Carrick could build United around Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo was a hot topic of conversation under Amorim, with the talented 20-year-old yet to make a single Premier League start this campaign, and the former United head coach stating he wasn’t physical enough.
However, since Amorim’s dismissal, Mainoo has played 78 minutes across the last two games, including 62 minutes against Brighton in the FA Cup, and many feel he could take on a greater role under Carrick’s leadership.
In July, the new United boss sat down with his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, and spoke about where he sees as Mainoo’s best position. “I think he’s more of an attacker,” Carrick said. I don’t see him as a holding midfielder. I think he’s probably that line above with that little bit more freedom.”
The former centre-back then asked whether Mainoo is the type of player he would want to build a team around.
“Yeah,” was Carrick’s immediate reply. “I think for a club to have a player that’s come through the academy and knows the club and feels it… I think Man United’s got to have an element of that. [They] always have done and always will.
“I think to have a talent like he’s shown already, you’ve got to have players like that, where you say, ‘Right, they get it. They know it.’ Let’s help them, let’s build them and stick with them. There’s definitely a place for him there, for sure.”
Mainoo back in a good environment under Carrick
Mainoo is not the quickest or most physically imposing player in world football, but with the ball at his feet, he’s superb.
The youngster’s ability to glide through phases of play, combine well with his teammates, and create high-quality chances are all you need from a brilliant midfielder, but his defensive work is one that needs covering.
Mainoo was at his best under Erik ten Hag when he played alongside Casemiro, who often acted as a sweeper behind Mainoo and a player he could bounce off.
With Carrick back on the touchline, the odds are that he will have Mainoo as one of the first players on his team sheet and will play Casemiro next to him to help unleash the very best parts of his game.
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