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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed Kobbie Mainoo following his Manchester derby heroics over the weekend. The Crimson Devils confronted their bitter rivals at Outdated Trafford on Saturday, 17 January, within the Premier League following a turbulent previous couple of weeks.
The English giants completed final marketing campaign fifteenth within the league, which was their lowest place because the inception of the Premier League. Former head coach Ruben Amorim initially saved his job, however a string of unconvincing outcomes noticed him dismissed at first of this yr.
Michael Carrick took cost final week as caretaker supervisor till the tip of this season. In his first recreation in cost in opposition to Manchester Metropolis over the weekend, he handed Mainoo his first league begin of the season. The teen didn’t disappoint, exhibiting why he’s so extremely rated at Carrington and serving to United safe a surprising 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Mainoo’s struggles underneath Amorim
Mainoo rose by way of the ranks at Outdated Trafford and broke into the primary crew underneath former supervisor Erik ten Hag. The Englishman famously starred within the 2023/24 FA Cup remaining, scoring within the 2-1 win over Metropolis, and in addition began within the Euro 2024 remaining that England misplaced to Spain.
Nevertheless, issues went downhill for Mainoo following Ten Hag’s departure from United in October 2024, and the next arrival of Amorim. Whereas the teen was out and in of the crew for the remainder of that marketing campaign, he fully fell out of favour underneath the Portuguese head coach initially of this season.
Mainoo registered only one begin this marketing campaign underneath Amorim, which was the defeat to League Two minnows Grimsby City within the EFL Cup second-round tie.
Kobbie Mainoo Stats: 2025/26 Season
| Competitors | Appearances | Begins | Objectives | Assists | Yellow Playing cards | Crimson Playing cards | Minutes Performed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 13 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 318′ |
| FA Cup | 1 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 62′ |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 90′ |
| Whole | 15 | 3 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 470′ |
Supply: Transfermarkt.
The 20 yr previous’s future was topic to hypothesis this month as effectively, particularly because the Crimson Devils stay linked with midfield reinforcements. Nevertheless, Carrick’s arrival has introduced stability to the Theatre of Desires, and a current report means that Mainoo is not seeking to depart the membership in the mean time. The younger midfielder’s efficiency over the weekend has now earned him reward from Ferdinand.
Kobbie’s convincing derby efficiency
Talking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand mentioned: “One factor to return out this weekend, Kobbie Mainoo instructed the world ‘I can play for Man United’. We have to admire the strain on his younger shoulders going into the Derby as an area lad. He has are available in and put a efficiency like that. That tells you he’s assured and he has acquired it.”
Beginning alongside Casemiro within the pivot function in opposition to Metropolis, Mainoo was as efficient with the ball as with out it. Solely Bruno Fernandes (81) utilized extra excessive presses than the Englishman (77), who additionally registered a 91% pass-completion fee.
The teen tried two lengthy balls within the recreation, each of which had been profitable. He additionally registered three tackles, two clearances, and two interceptions. In Carrick, Mainoo has the proper mentor to enhance his recreation, and it’s believed that the previous midfielder has already taken the teen underneath his wing.
Last Ideas
United are coming into a transition part in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro each on the incorrect aspect of 30. The Brazilian will flip 34 subsequent month and is out of contract in lower than six months.
A current report relayed by The Peoples Particular person means that the Crimson Devils are assured of securing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba this summer time to strengthen the midfield. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has additionally been talked about as an possibility for the job. Nevertheless, any addition shouldn’t come at the price of Mainoo, who has all of the qualities to turn into a mainstay in United’s midfield for the following decade.
Featured picture George Wooden through Getty Pictures
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