Kobbie Mainoo comments speak volumes as Michael Carrick agrees with Sir Alex Ferguson

View 2 Images

Newly appointed Manchester United manager Michael Carrick agrees with Sir Alex Ferguson that Kobbie Mainoo is the lifeblood of the club. Carrick, a former United midfielder, was confirmed as interim head coach on Tuesday until the end of the season.

The 44-year-old steps into the dugout following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim last week, having previously held the reins at United for three games in 2021 after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked .

It remains to be seen what United under Carrick will look like and how he will set the team up. However, his past interviews suggest out-of-favour youngster Mainoo could return to the starting XI.

Mainoo enjoyed a meteoric rise at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, having graduated from the academy. He most notably played a pivotal role in their 2024 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City before becoming a fully-fledged England international.

Yet, the Stockport-born midfielder found himself sidelined under Amorim, despite the latter's limited midfield options. The 20-year-old was reportedly considering leaving United but may now find a reprieve under Carrick , particularly given the manager's previous comments.

In a conversation with fellow club legend Rio Ferdinand last year, Carrick was asked if he would build the midfield around Mainoo. Carrick responded: "Yeah, 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. It always has done and always should have.

"To have a talent like Mainoo, which he’s shown already, you’ve got to have players like that [in the team], players that you can say, ‘They get it. They know it. Let’s help them and stick with them’. I think there’s definitely a place for him there, for sure."

His comments followed reports suggesting Mainoo had been exploring a summer move to Napoli , only for Amorim to block the transfer. Carrick's views echo those of legendary United manager Ferguson, who famously built his success around academy products like the Class of '92.

The Scottish icon emphasised that homegrown talent was vital to United's DNA when asked about Mainoo and the now departed Alejandro Garnacho in 2024.

View 2 Images

Sir Alex told TikToker Jamal Niaz: "It’s the foundation, isn’t it? It’s the heart and soul of what Manchester United has been since the days of Sir Matt Busby, who started the whole process of trusting young players playing.

"They’re young. What they’re showing at the moment, the composure and confidence to play in the first team, and not be daunted by it. In a way, it shows you the kind of courage they have. It’s a distinction in human beings, some have the will to be that [fearless at a young age]."

How Carrick plans to deploy Mainoo is yet to be seen, especially considering his previous comments to Ferdinand where he identified the youngster as an attacking midfielder. Carrick said: "He's more of an attacker. I don't see him as a holding midfielder. He's that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.