Image source: football-italia.net
Kobbie Mainoo’s full 90 minutes in Manchester United’s 2-0 derby win over Manchester City at Old Trafford offered an early indication of Michael Carrick’s confidence in the 20-year-old midfielder. Napoli have been linked with Mainoo and were in talks last summer, but reports said United were reluctant to discuss a sale this month while Carrick assessed the squad.
Mainoo plays full match as Carrick praises midfielder after City win
Mainoo played the full match on Saturday as Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford, starting his first Premier League game of the season. His inclusion and endurance were viewed as a signal that Napoli’s hopes of signing the England midfielder could be fading, with the Serie A club described as long-time admirers who had already held talks last summer.
Carrick praised Mainoo before kick-off, telling Sky Sports UK: “Kobbie Mainoo is a fantastic player, he has huge talent, he has huge ability.” Carrick added that Mainoo had “played in some unbelievable big occasions and coped with it,” and said he was looking forward to seeing him “thrive,” according to comments shared via Fabrizio Romano.
After the match, Carrick again highlighted Mainoo’s contribution, telling reporters in remarks carried by the BBC: “Kobbie was great alongside Casemiro. Between the two of them, it gave us a foundation.” Mainoo’s role next to Casemiro was presented as a key platform for United in the derby win, with Carrick praising the balance the pairing provided.
Romano reported earlier in the week that United were reluctant to discuss Mainoo’s sale this month because they wanted to make assessments under Carrick. The latest selection, and Mainoo completing the full 90 minutes, suggested Carrick has already put trust in him, which would leave Napoli “forced to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcement this month.”
After the game, the Manchester Evening News reported Mainoo posted his first United-related picture on Instagram since October, sharing an image of himself alongside Carrick and Mason Mount walking in the Old Trafford tunnel. The caption read: “Believe that.”
