Carrick eager for Man Utd to develop team around talented Mainoo

Michael Carrick, Manchester United manager, feels Kobbie Mainoo shows the talent and mindset needed to grow into a central figure for the side after facing challenges in Ruben Amorim's time in charge.

Mainoo earned his initial Premier League start this term during Carrick's opening match as caretaker, with United controlling their derby against Manchester City to claim a 2-0 triumph.

The 20 year old rose to fame in the 2023/24 campaign with Erik ten Hag at the helm, finding the net in United's FA Cup final victory over City and shining brightly during England's path to the Euro 2024 showpiece.

That said, minutes proved scarce for him across Amorim's troubled 14 month stint, the Portuguese tactician resisting pressure to field Mainoo next to skipper Bruno Fernandes.

This team requires academy graduates to step up and form the core, extending beyond the squad to embody the essence of the club and connect with fans, Carrick noted in his media briefing prior to the upcoming away clash with table topping Arsenal on Sunday.

I believe we must embrace this approach and continue nurturing it.

Kobbie stands out as a perfect case, surging forward so rapidly, featuring in massive fixtures and influencing them profoundly at a tender age, which highlights tremendous skill alongside the resilience required to cope.

Careers involve peaks and troughs, paths that twist and turn at times. Yet we witnessed Kobbie's potential again just last week.

The City success propelled United, sitting fifth, to just a single point shy of the top four spots in the Premier League.

Atmosphere at Old Trafford shifted markedly thanks to the strong showing, Carrick hopes to use it as a base for a strong finish to the campaign, targeting Champions League return after a three year absence.

It marked a significant outcome, display and boost to the vibe within the ground, Carrick continued.

We must strike the right mix, drawing inspiration and belief from the match while staying composed and grounded.

A single outing does not transform us into an elite outfit, though it lays a solid groundwork for progress, instilling plenty of assurance.