Michael Carrick is poised to take the reins at Manchester United as interim manager, and he arrives with a clear vision for one of the club's brightest young talents: Kobbie Mainoo. The former United midfielder, expected to be appointed within the next 24 hours, believes the 20-year-old academy graduate is a player the club should 'build around'.
Carrick's Immediate Challenge and Faith in Mainoo
Carrick is set to step into the hot seat at Old Trafford following the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week. He inherits a squad in a troubling run of form, having drawn three successive Premier League games against Burnley, Leeds, and Wolves, and suffering an FA Cup defeat to Brighton. His appointment, understood to be until the end of the season, has sparked speculation among fans eager to see a change from Amorim's stubborn use of a 3-4-2-1 formation, which sidelined key players.
One of those who found himself out of favour was Mainoo. Under Amorim, the England international failed to register a single Premier League start this season, leading to doubts about his future and the possibility of a January exit. However, Carrick, who spent 12 years at United as a player, holds a radically different view of the midfielder's importance.
'They Get It, Let's Build Around Them'
In a revealing interview with former teammate Rio Ferdinand back in September, Carrick laid out his philosophy. 'For a club to have a player that's come through the academy and knows it, Man United's got to have an element of that. Always has done, always should do,' Carrick stated. 'To have a talent like that, as he's shown already, you've got to have players like that. They get it, they know it, let's build around them. There's definitely a place for him there for sure.'
Carrick also pinpointed Mainoo's best position, disagreeing with the idea of using him as a holding midfielder. 'He's more of an attacker. I don't see him as a holding midfielder. He's that line above where he needs a little bit more freedom,' he explained. 'I see him playing that little bit higher and creating. I think he's got a massive future.'
Integrating Mainoo with Fernandes
From his September comments, it is clear Carrick will aim to fit both Mainoo and club captain Bruno Fernandes into his midfield setup. He spoke glowingly about Fernandes' impact, describing him as a role model and a talisman. 'He's desperate to do well... he plays every game, he never misses training... When there's something that's needed, Bruno is the man that steps up,' Carrick said, praising the Portuguese star's attitude and understanding of the club's stature.
Carrick also offered advice for Mainoo's development, urging patience. He reflected that young players today face intense scrutiny compared to his era. 'It's a different world now and I think as a young player, in your first two, three, four years, it hits you and it doesn't quite go to plan. But that doesn't mean you don't get there,' he told Ferdinand. 'If you've got it, you've got it. And he's shown that he's got it.'
With his interim tenure about to begin, Carrick's first major task will be to translate his belief in Mainoo from words into action on the pitch, starting with the crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday.
