Mainoo\u2019s resurgence under Carrick won\u2019t come as a surprise to those who questioned Amorim for overlooking the United academy graduate<\/a> in his midfield.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old has previously scored the winner in an FA Cup final<\/a> win over Man City, and he starred at Euro 2024, even featuring in the final for England as a teenager.<\/p>\n Is Ruben Amorim not playing Kobbie Mainoo the worst decision you can remember from a recent Man Utd manager? <\/p>\n Mainoo didn\u2019t start a single Premier League<\/a> game under Amorim this season, but he has started the last three matches under Carrick.<\/p>\n Slotting in alongside Casemiro<\/a>, Mainoo has brought a combination of calmness and passing quality to the midfield department.<\/p>\n Carrick is expected to stick with the same midfield against Tottenham in the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t long ago that a loan move away from United appeared a probable outcome for Mainoo, especially with Amorim giving the youngster just 200 minutes of Premier League football this season.<\/p>\n The narrative has changed completely since Carrick returned to Old Trafford<\/a>. Now, Mainoo is in contract talks<\/a> and playing regularly.<\/p>\n This is another example of how quickly things can change in football. Thankfully, this example is for the good of United and Mainoo, as shown by the previous three results in the league.<\/p>\n Carrick was asked about bringing Mainoo back into the line-up before he stressed the importance of helping academy graduates develop in the first team.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing Kobbie to start with and what he can bring to the team, it was my thoughts to put him into the team,\u201d Carrick told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he would give us an awful lot. I think from the club\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s an ideal scenario to bring players through the Academy and have them in the team and have them go through their career at this club, and stay in and around it.<\/p>\n \u201cI was fortunate enough to be with a lot of players who managed to do that. I think it\u2019s important. Obviously, with Munich and the foundation of the football club, everything feeds off that.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not putting everything on Kobbie\u2019s shoulders; he\u2019s doing terrific at the moment, and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll continue to be that way. We want more of that. We want more players to come through the system and get into the first team.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, there\u2019s no better feeling than giving young players a chance. He\u2019s taken the chance over recent weeks and, as I said, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll continue to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Promoting academy players to the first team is a long tradition that has served the club well throughout its history. These comments will be music to the ears of United fans<\/a>.<\/p>\n Should Kobbie Mainoo be in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup? <\/p>\n After recent form, will Thomas Tuchel be convinced?<\/p>\n Since breaking into the United first team<\/a>, Mainoo has never beaten Tottenham.<\/p>\n![\"Seedorf\/Mainoo\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/UIF-4-819x1024.png\")
Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"Kobbie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2258907727-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Simon Stacpoole\/Offside\/Offside via Getty ImagesMichael Carrick happy with Kobbie Mainoo\u2019s impact<\/p>\n![\"Kobbie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2257657492-1024x645.jpg\")
Photo by Marc Atkins\/Getty Images Kobbie Mainoo looking for first win over Tottenham<\/p>\n