Three of Manchester United’s summer signings joined Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield department. Michael Carrick has explained how the new additions will benefit the academy graduate at Old Trafford.
Even if you aren’t best pleased with Manchester United’s transfer activity over the summer, it cannot be denied that the club achieved their objective by revamping the midfield.
Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba all signed for the club. These transfers were completed after Casemiro left as his contract expired and Manuel Ugarte sustained a nasty knee injury at the 2026 World Cup.
Michael Carrick has started two different midfield combinations since the 2026/27 Premier League campaign began. That includes Santos and Tielemans, as well as Mainoo and Tielemans.
Kobbie Mainoo can benefit from new midfield additions at Man Utd
Mainoo was one of the standout performers in United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, along with hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes.
We are a week on from that match, and all attention has shifted away from the transfer window to the next game, away to Everton.
After a stunning midfield display against the Tractor Boys, Mainoo is expected to keep his place in the team at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
When speaking to the press ahead of the match, Carrick was asked about how the new midfield signings will impact Mainoo and his role in the team.
Carrick is convinced that Mainoo will benefit from the competition he will receive from his new teammates. The head coach wants United to be strong as a unit across the pitch, which is why they’ve signed midfielders who can complement the England international, who is seen as a potential future leader in the team.
“The competition is a positive thing, not necessarily because it’s one player against another, but it’s collective, to know that we have a strong group,” Carrick said.
“Kobbie made big strides last season; he finished the season strongly and played ever so well last week. You can see his development and how much he has improved in certain aspects of his game. He wants to learn and is hungry to learn more, which is great.
“He has had a really good eight months since I’ve been in. It would be easy for him to think everything is fine after getting in the team and playing a lot of games, but he is pushing for more, as he should. The beauty of having the competition and the foundation to be strong is that you can learn off each other and help each other, certainly, as a midfield group, it’s really strong.
“Kobbie can have another big season. He has come back great, and you can see him growing in personality and maturity. He is still so young, and there is loads to still come from him, which is great.”
- ⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Manchester United added three new midfielders to the squad in the summer transfer market
- Michael Carrick believes Kobbie Mainoo will benefit from the competition
- The United head coach is pleased with how Mainoo returned to pre-season after a disappointing World Cup
Michael Carrick provides insight into coaching Kobbie Mainoo
As a young midfielder, it must be an honour for Mainoo to work under Carrick.
Carrick won everything as a player at United and experienced the highs and lows of being a key midfielder in the team.
The United head coach was asked whether he works with Mainoo specifically off the ball.
Carrick added: “We are constantly working with all the players individually on certain things, both on and off the pitch.
“With Kobbie, it’s not about lecturing him, but letting him play, express himself and do what he is good at. He has some amazing attributes that we want to use, and there is also an improvement side where we try to help him. The great thing about it is that he wants to learn.
“You can see we’re trying to give him little bits here and there and he really takes it on board and tries to learn, you know? That’s going to give him a great chance to fulfil his potential which, as you know, he’s got an awful lot of.”
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