Michael Carrick has warned Manchester United fans about one particular player amid excitement around their expectations towards him
Manchester United fans have been loving life under Michael Carrick as United extend their run of good form to four wins in a row following a solid 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and captain Bruno Fernandes capitalised on Cristian Romero’s early red card after a reckless challenge on Casemiro.
United dominated throughout the game, reducing Spurs to only one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.
Carrick’s time in charge has seen major changes in comparison to United’s previous boss, Ruben Amorim, whose stubbornness and strong thoughts made his time under the spotlight a tough one.
One player in particular has seen huge changes for the better, but Carrick has warned fans about the danger of expectation as confidence in the United camp grows.
Carrick relieves pressure on Mainoo
Academy product Kobbie Mainoo has played almost every minute of the Carrick era as he has been handed a new life since Amorim’s dismissal.
However, Carrick has spoken out about the threat that expectation has over players at the club.
“There is no doubt about Kobbie’s ability and what he can bring, I think he’s still so young, let’s be careful about putting so much pressure on his shoulders.”
“He’s still learning the game. It’s easy to think that he’s a lot older and experienced than he is. We know he can handle the ball and I’m sure he will keep improving.”
Fans have been desperate to see more game time for Mainoo after he shone for Erik ten Hag in 2023/24. With United’s midfield department needing lots of attention, he has been one of the brightest sparks since his re-introduction to the starting eleven.
The weight of the shirt
Having grown up a red, Mainoo will be well aware of the number of eyes on the iconic red shirt of Man United.
Whilst Mainoo’s ability has rarely been questioned by fans, huge expectations from fans can build up and become overwhelming to the point where players cannot perform to the correct standard.
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United will prioritise their focus on securing more wins as a midweek trip to the London Stadium awaits with West Ham as United’s next opponent in the Premier League.
Allowing Mainoo to perform at a rate which he is comfortable with would be best for all parties as the hunt for Champions League continues and a ticket to the 2026 World Cup may be on the cards.
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