Kobbie Mainoo’s Rise: Winning Hearts and Proving Critics Wrong

In the wake of Manchester United’s opening match against West Ham this season, Ruben Amorim seemed to soften his stance on Kobbie Mainoo. The game, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Old Trafford in December, saw Mainoo remain on the sidelines, while Amorim opted for Lisandro Martinez over Luke Shaw as his final substitution in search of a winning goal.

When pressed about his decision to keep the 20-year-old on the bench, the then-manager of United remarked, “You always ask me the same thing. I understand your perspective. You have a fondness for Kobbie. He’s starting for England, but that doesn’t compel me to utilize him if I believe it’s not the right time.” This remark hinted at a personal touch, reflecting Amorim’s perception of media inquiries surrounding Mainoo’s limited playing time.

However, the underlying sentiment was not mere admiration for Mainoo from the press; it stemmed from a recognition of his potential contributions to the squad. The impressive engagement on social media, with a post garnering 25,000 likes during United’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham, indicated that fans were also questioning Amorim’s decision-making regarding the player.

Supporters were puzzled by the fact that the talented midfielder, nurtured through the club’s academy, had yet to start a single Premier League fixture this season before Amorim’s exit. Following Amorim’s departure, his successor Darren Fletcher included Mainoo for the last 16 minutes of the previous month’s draw against Burnley, transitioning from a three-man defense to incorporate an additional midfielder.

Mainoo then earned a starting position in the subsequent FA Cup match against Brighton and has maintained his role through all four of Michael Carrick’s brief tenure matches. In the encounter against Tottenham, Mainoo assisted Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal with a skillful pass to the edge of the penalty area, demonstrating his ability to influence the game positively after receiving a short corner from Bruno Fernandes.

After the match, Carrick affirmed Mainoo’s return to the form he showcased during his breakout season in 2023-24, where he scored in the FA Cup final and represented England in the Euros final against Spain. Despite this, there remains a segment of fans who struggle to comprehend Mainoo’s value. On the surface, his tally of seven goals and five assists across 90 appearances may seem modest.

Nonetheless, the essence of Mainoo’s impact lies in his exceptional understanding of game dynamics and his versatility as a midfielder. This quality is reminiscent of Carrick himself two decades ago, which is precisely why Sir Alex Ferguson sought to acquire him from Tottenham.

In a conversation with his brother Graeme for the Football Association prior to leaving United in 2018, Carrick elaborated on the nuances of executing a “great pass.” He noted, “The execution is probably the easiest part most of the time. It’s about preparing for it, positioning your body correctly, grasping the game’s context, and weighing the risk versus the reward.”

Carrick continued, “Even with a simple three-yard pass, you are enabling the next player to act immediately. If they require multiple touches to control the ball, it loses its quality. Your passing angle must be precise to dictate the subsequent move, making it a great pass if it aligns with your mental vision of the play.”

Mainoo’s resurgence has sparked separate discussions within the club. One concerns Amorim’s apparent lack of faith in United’s academy, a sentiment that has left staff members frustrated. Another discussion centers on England’s national team dynamics.

Interestingly, six of Mainoo’s ten senior caps were accrued during Euro 2024. He participated in the first Nations League match following the tournament, but after withdrawing from the October squad, he has not been called up since. His desire to secure a position in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad fueled his eagerness to join Napoli on loan before the summer transfer window closed.

With only five matches remaining, beginning with a rematch against West Ham on Tuesday, Mainoo faces the challenge of making a compelling case for inclusion in Tuchel’s plans ahead of the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. This comes two years after he made a surprise entry into Gareth Southgate’s squad at a crucial moment.

As United contemplates potential midfield reinforcements, other talents like Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Alex Scott have already been included in November’s squad, making Mainoo’s path to the national team more challenging. Nonetheless, Carrick remains optimistic about the young player’s future.

“We must exercise caution in placing excessive expectations on his shoulders,” Carrick emphasized. “He’s still in the learning phase of his career. Following a significant high, he faced a period of limited playtime. It’s easy to perceive him as more seasoned than he is. Patience is crucial for him.”