“Told him that I was very grateful”: United star cannot thank Carrick enough for bringing alive his World Cup dreams

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has pinpointed the one thing he owes Michael Carrick the most gratitude for. Turnaround Having been cast aside and stuck at the bottom of the pecking order under Ruben Amorim, Mainoo appeared destined to leave United at one stage of the 2025/26 season. He requested to leave the club on loan towards the end of last summer’s window, but the club blocked an exit. He was set to leave in January in search of regular playing time, but Amorim’s dismissal and Carrick’s arrival as his replacement sparked a change in his fortunes. Mainoo instantly went from a bit-part role to one of the most important players in the team. Of the 17 games that Carrick took charge of, the Carrington academy graduate only missed one. He played a key role in United’s strong end to the campaign, which saw the club secure Champions League football after a two-year absence. Mainoo’s performances earned him a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup. He spoke to talkSPORT and gave Carrick the credit for his return to the England ranks. Mainoo’s remarks He told talkSPORT, “We were very happy with it, obviously, we were behind the manager from the start.” “So many great performances under him, and I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well. I think everyone in the squad can agree with that, so when he officially got the job, we were all so happy.” Asked if Carrick is partly to thank for his World Cup call-up, Mainoo answered, “Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful.” “Because if he hadn’t put me on the pitch, then I wouldn’t have been here so, I’m always grateful to him for that.” This World Cup marks Mainoo’s first appearance on football’s biggest international stage. He played a prominent role for England at the Euros, starting in the final loss to Spain. The 21-year-old will hope to feature heavily once more. Featured image by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!