Michael Carrick named Kobbie Mainoo amongst three other Manchester United stars as the foundational players of his side, which could see one breakout star miss out.
Manchester United produced a commanding display at Old Trafford to secure a 2–0 Premier League win over Manchester City, with Michael Carrick’s team asserting their authority from start to finish.
United set the tempo early with an intense press that unsettled City, creating chances in the opening stages. Bryan Mbeumo looked lively, while Harry Maguire went closest when his header rebounded off the crossbar.
The home side dominated the first half and had the ball in the net twice through Amad and Bruno Fernandes, but both goals were ruled out for offside. After the interval, United maintained the pressure, only to be thwarted by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made excellent saves to deny Casemiro and then Mbeumo.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute when Mbeumo finished confidently to give United the lead. Ten minutes later, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu completed the victory, converting a chance created by substitute Matheus Cunha to seal all three points.
Carrick highlights importance of four United stars
After being left on the sidelines by Ruben Amorim throughout the season, Kobbie Mainoo finally made his first Premier League start of the season, lining up alongside Casemiro in the midfield, with the pair putting on stellar displays.
After a potential January exit for the 20-year-old on the cards, there is no doubt that he now deserves a run in the side, with Carrick highlighting the youngster’s importance to the side.
Alongside Mainoo, Carrick also highlighted three other Man Utd stars who have laid the foundation for his stint at the club, saying: “I thought Kobbie [Mainoo] was excellent alongside Casemiro. With Licha [Martinez] and Harry [Maguire], they really laid the foundations. They formed a block. It was a match for experience.
A big well done to Harry. I’m not going to lie, it was also a calculated gamble because he hasn’t had much training in recent weeks. Him and Licha were solid at the back.”
Ayden Heaven could miss out
With Carrick reverting to a back-four, the centre-back position has now become all the more competitive, with a number of players competing for a starting role in the side.
Much like Amad last season, and Mainoo the season before, Ayden Heaven has enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford after joining from Arsenal in February of last year. Amorim placed a lot of faith in the 19-year-old, with Heaven starting eight games on the bounce during United’s busy December schedule.
Read More: Man Utd 2-0 City: Five things learned as two Michael Carrick stars finally move the needle (Premier League)
After Carrick’s comments, however, Heaven may find himself dropping down the pecking order at the club after Maguire and Martinez’s impressive display against Man City. Leny Yoro would be expected to be preferred over Heaven, and once Matthijs de Ligt returns from injury, he could find it difficult to pick up substantial game time.
With there being no European football on offer at Old Trafford this season, and after being eliminated from both cup competitions, the Premier League is the only competition left for United to play in, and with the club’s clear ambitions to secure European football, it remains to be seen how much faith Carrick will put into the young centre-back.
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