MANCHESTER, England — In an alternate universe, Kobbie Mainoo is playing for someone other than Manchester United right now. Perhaps he would wear the light blue of Napoli, given that the Serie A champions twice showed interest in signing the midfielder during his miserable year under Rubén Amorim.
Instead, Mainoo's nightmare ended thanks to head coach Michael Carrick and not Antonio Conte. And with the 20-year-old back in favor and wearing red, United and Carrick have won four Premier League games in a row.
The latest, Saturday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, had a lot to do with Cristian Romero's red card in the first half, but also Mainoo's assured performance in midfield.
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It's only natural, after such a sharp increase in results, to look at what made the difference. The two most obvious changes are the change from three at the back to four and the decision to bring Mainoo back in from the cold.
There are valid reasons to sympathize with Amorim. But it is difficult to understand how the Portuguese coach came to the conclusion that his team was much better off without Mainoo. He has already played more minutes in the Premier League with Carrick this season than with Amorim.
“There's no doubt about Kobbie's ability and what he can bring,” Carrick said after the game. “He's still very young and learning the game. He's had a big rush and then hasn't played for a while. It's easier to think he's older than he is.”
You imagine that after so much time on the sidelines, Mainoo is still playing catch-up. He may have lost some of his game rhythm while sitting on the bench (although you wouldn't necessarily know it from watching him play), but he hasn't forgotten how to bend the ball to his will.
Just look at United's first goal. United first-team coach Jonny Evans was thanked by Carrick for coming up with the corner kick routine that put the home team ahead after 38 minutes. And while the idea was clever, it only worked because Mainoo's run from the front post to the corner flag was timed perfectly, and his no-look over-the-shoulder pass to Bryan Mbeumo was precise.
It's the kind of touch Mainoo produces countless times over the course of 90 minutes. The majority goes practically unnoticed. This led to a crucial goal when United found the net less than 10 minutes after Romero's red card. “The first goal is vital to get ahead,” Carrick said afterwards.
Another delicate movement in the second half allowed Bruno Fernandes to make it 2-0 after a cross from Diogo Dalot. That ended any hope of a Spurs comeback and ensured that United will finish the weekend still in the top four.
Mainoo also picked up an assist in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, and his recent form raises the possibility that he could still be a late addition to England's FIFA World Cup squad. If he continues like this until the next international break in March, it will be difficult for England manager Thomas Tuchel to ignore him. Impress the last camp before the trip to the US and you'll have a good chance of getting a seat on the plane. It is less than two years since Mainoo, then a teenager, started for his country in the final of a European Championship.
“There's definitely more to come,” Carrick said. “That's the stage he's at in his career. He learns the game, plays alongside Casemiro and learns from him. Things he doesn't even realize he's learning. That's part of his journey to learn and develop.”
Things have changed quickly for Mainoo and also for Spurs boss Thomas Frank. It wasn't long ago that the Danish coach was in high demand at Brentford and courted, among others, by United. Now, there are doubts that they still want him at Tottenham.
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Michallik criticizes Romero's “responsibility” after red card against Man United
Janusz Michallik reacts to Cristian Romero's red card for Tottenham against Man United.
Whether he's photographed drinking from an Arsenal cup or having to defend Romero, his captain, after a poorly thought-out social media post, it seems to be one thing after another for Frank. Here, Romero was sent off after 29 minutes for an unnecessary but nasty challenge on Casemiro and then Mbeumo, a player who grew up in Brentford and tried to sign for Spurs in the summer, scored the first goal. This led to Frank standing in the Manchester rain and ended with United fans chanting: “They'll see you off in the morning.”
“There is no alternative but to move forward,” he said after the game. “Of course we will, but in life and in football there are difficult moments, but we face it. There is no other way.”
While Frank tries to lift Tottenham after a seventh consecutive league game without a win, Carrick is on the crest of a wave. The Spurs became a ghost team under Amorim. They lost three and drew one of their four games, including a devastating defeat in the UEFA Europa League final in May. But Tottenham were swept away by Carrick at the first attempt, and United are now unbeaten in eight games for the first time since February 2022.
The question that dogged Amorim for so long was when United would win back-to-back league games. Now, fans leaving Old Trafford are talking about the possibility of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season. The most optimistic fans even wonder if there is still a chance of catching Arsenal and Manchester City at the top.
Football has a way of changing quickly. Ask Carrick, Frank and Mainoo.
