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Kobbie Mainoo has expressed his deep gratitude to Michael Carrick, crediting the Manchester United manager for reviving his international prospects after earning a place in England’s 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. The young midfielder admitted he feels “very grateful” to the now-permanent Old Trafford head coach for the trust and support shown since Carrick took charge.

Mainoo praises Carrick’s full-time appointment

Manchester United recently confirmed that Carrick has signed a permanent deal running until 2028, following an impressive interim stint after Ruben Amorim’s departure. The decision has been warmly received within the squad, with Mainoo revealing that players were eager for the former club captain to continue leading them on a long-term basis.

Speaking from England’s training base in Florida, Mainoo told talkSPORT: “We were all delighted with the announcement. From day one, everyone in the squad was behind him. We’ve had so many strong performances under his management, and I love the way he coaches and manages me personally within the team. I think every player feels the same way, so when it was made official, we were all thrilled.”

The turnaround after Amorim’s tenure

Just a few months ago, the 21-year-old’s inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup lineup seemed improbable. During Ruben Amorim’s spell at the club, Mainoo found himself sidelined and contemplating his future at Old Trafford, having failed to start a single Premier League match under the Portuguese boss. However, his fortunes changed dramatically when Carrick took over in January.

Reflecting on Carrick’s influence on his international call-up, Mainoo said: “Definitely, and I’ve told him how thankful I am. If he hadn’t trusted me to play, I wouldn’t be here now. I’ll always be grateful to him for that.” Under Carrick, Mainoo became a consistent starter, missing only one of United’s 17 league fixtures during their strong finish to the season.

Champions League breakthrough and United’s resurgence

Mainoo played a pivotal role in United’s late-season revival that saw them secure a third-place finish. His defining moment came in a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford last month, when he netted the crucial late goal that sealed United’s return to the Champions League. That performance further validated Carrick’s suitability for the permanent position. Carrick’s calm and modern management approach has helped unlock Mainoo’s potential, with the midfielder having previously shared that the squad’s loyalty to the manager is so strong that players “want to follow him, fight for him, and give everything for him on the pitch.”

Tuchel places faith in youth for England’s World Cup journey

Now set to add to his 12 England caps, Mainoo will aim to make an impact on the world stage. Despite being just 21, he is already an experienced tournament player after featuring in six matches during England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. This World Cup marks his debut appearance in the tournament, and Tuchel is expected to rely on his energy, composure, and tactical intelligence in midfield as England face a challenging Group L featuring Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Before the competition begins, England will play two warm-up matches in Florida — against New Zealand on June 6 and Costa Rica on June 10 — to fine-tune preparations.

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