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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hailed Kobbie Mainoo following his Manchester derby heroics over the weekend. The Pink Devils confronted their bitter rivals at Outdated Trafford on Saturday, 17 January, within the Premier League following a turbulent previous couple of weeks.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 for the reason that inception of the Premier League. Former head coach Ruben Amorim initially saved his job, however a string of unconvincing outcomes noticed him dismissed firstly of this 12 months.
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, displaying why he’s so extremely rated at Carrington and serving to United safe a shocking 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
Mainoo’s struggles below Amorim
Mainoo rose by the ranks at Outdated Trafford and broke into the primary staff below former supervisor Erik ten Hag. The Englishman famously starred within the 2023/24 FA Cup last, scoring within the 2-1 win over Metropolis, and likewise began within the Euro 2024 last that England misplaced to Spain.
Nonetheless, 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 staff for the remainder of that marketing campaign, he utterly fell out of favour below the Portuguese head coach in the beginning of this season.
Mainoo registered only one begin this marketing campaign below 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 | Pink 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The 20 12 months outdated’s future was topic to hypothesis this month as nicely, particularly for the reason that Pink Devils stay linked with midfield reinforcements. Nonetheless, Carrick’s arrival has introduced stability to the Theatre of Desires, and a latest report means that Mainoo is now not trying to go away the membership in the meanwhile. 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 stated: “One factor to return out this weekend, Kobbie Mainoo instructed the world ‘I can play for Man United’. We have to respect the stress on his younger shoulders going into the Derby as a neighborhood lad. He has are available in and put a efficiency like that. That tells you he’s assured and he has obtained 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 have been profitable. He additionally registered three tackles, two clearances, and two interceptions. In Carrick, Mainoo has the right mentor to enhance his recreation, and it’s believed that the previous midfielder has already taken the teen below his wing.
Ultimate Ideas
United are getting into a transition part in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro each on the fallacious aspect of 30. The Brazilian will flip 34 subsequent month and is out of contract in lower than six months.
A latest report relayed by The Peoples Person means that the Pink 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 mentioned as an choice for the job. Nonetheless, any addition shouldn’t come at the price of Mainoo, who has all of the qualities to grow to be a mainstay in United’s midfield for the subsequent decade.
Featured picture George Wooden by way of Getty Photos
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