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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has attributed his England World Cup call-up to Michael Carrick, expressing how "grateful" he is for the manager's unwavering faith in him.
Cast your mind back 12 months and Mainoo was lost in the shadows. The promising youngster barely featured under Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford, leading England to look past the player who had been so pivotal in the side's runner-up run at Euro 2024.
However, once Carrick stepped in at the helm of the Red Devils, Mainoo's fortunes at both club and international level swiftly turned around. The 21-year-old reclaimed his spot alongside Casemiro in United's engine room and appeared as though he had never been away. His revival caught the eye of Thomas Tuchel, who handed the midfielder a place in the Three Lions squad for the March international window and subsequently the 2026 World Cup.
When asked by talkSPORT whether Carrick deserved some of the credit for his inclusion in Tuchel's 26-man squad, Mainoo said, "Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful. Because if he hadn't put me on the pitch, then I wouldn't have been here so, I'm always grateful to him for that."
Mainoo Reflects on Carrick's Permanent Appointment
It comes as little surprise that Mainoo backed Carrick to be handed the United manager's role on a permanent basis following the 2025–26 campaign. The England international, after all, started 16 of a possible 17 matches since Carrick took the reins—with his only absence coming as a result of injury.
Mainoo's revival in form and standing at Old Trafford was a significant factor in the Red Devils securing a third-place Premier League finish and Champions League qualification. The lion's share of the credit, however, belongs to Carrick. The 44-year-old impressed during his audition after stepping in for the sacked Amorim in January, ultimately earning a two-year deal running through to summer 2028.
"We were very happy with it, obviously, we were behind the manager from the start," Mainoo told talkSPORT regarding Carrick's permanent appointment.
"So many great performances under him, and I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well. I think everyone in the squad can agree with that, so when he officially got the job, we were all so happy."
Change Is Coming for Mainoo at United
Barring any injury setback at this summer's World Cup, Mainoo is all but certain to walk straight back into Carrick's starting lineup when United begin the 2026–27 season. His midfield partnership, however, will look different.
Casemiro departed the club after four years in a red shirt, leaving a void alongside Mainoo that the Red Devils appear to have already moved to address. Atalanta midfielder Éderson is said to be heading to the Manchester club, where he is widely expected to step into Casemiro's shoes.
There may be a settling-in period for Mainoo, who spent much of his early United career partnering Casemiro. The encouraging news is that Éderson boasts a skillset strikingly similar to the former Real Madrid man, one that should complement his new midfield partner well. The Brazilian is a dynamic box-to-box operator with a sharp ability to win duels and regain possession, and his presence should provide Mainoo with the same kind of platform that Casemiro once offered.