Michael Carrick hails ‘incredible’ Kobbie Mainoo: Man United boss opens up on decision to bring youngster in from the cold after Ruben Amorim exile

Michael Carrick says it was ‘not a big decision’ to bring Kobbie Mainoo in from the cold at Man United, as the interim boss lavished praise on his ‘incredible’ midfielder.

Mainoo, 20, had endured a turbulent season prior to Carrick’s appointment as first team head coach last month, with former boss Ruben Amorim effectively freezing the youngster out from his plans.

Such was Mainoo’s dire situation at Old Trafford, the 20-year-old had privately expressed to club chiefs that he wished to explore a move away from the club to play regular first team football.  

However, Carrick has offered an olive branch to Mainoo, involving the midfielder in his team since taking the helm. 

And the England international has repaid his manager’s faith, forming the foundation for United’s impressive unbeaten run of five unbeaten matches in the Premier League.

For Carrick, it was a no-brainer to involve Mainoo in his plans. 

Michael Carrick has revealed it was a no-brainer to bring Kobbie Mainoo in from the cold

Former Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim had frozen Mainoo out, with the youngster seeking an exit from the club

‘I’ve known Kobbie a long time,’ he told BBC Sport. ‘I started working with him when I think he was 13 or 14, when I was starting to do my coaching badges – a good few years ago. Just little bits. And then, obviously, when I was here the first time, he was in and around a little bit.

‘So I think knowing him and having experience with him and seeing him perform at such a level on such big occasions… I said earlier about coaches being able to cope with being here and at the level to deal with it. What Kobbie’s done at such a young age is quite incredible really.

‘We forget how young he still is. I was just a big fan of watching him play and knowing what he was capable of. So it wasn’t really a big decision to play him. And, to be fair, it’s not easy when you haven’t played to find your rhythm and find your form.

‘There are things he can get better at, things he can improve on, but we haven’t really got started on any of that because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again.

‘I’ve been really conscious of not giving him an awful lot – a couple of little pointers, a bit of positional things and some little bits here and there – but trust in what he is. He’s a fantastic footballer and he’s got a huge talent.’