Kobbie Mainoo in the frame for Premier League Young Player of the Season

Kobbie Mainoo in the frame for Premier League Young Player of the Season

Six months ago, Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United looked bleak.

At the time, he was struggling to get into the United line-up, limited to cameo appearances and heavily linked with a move away, rather than staying to become a club legend. Which was surprising for a player, Paul Scholes said, that he was ten times better than he was at 19.

All of a sudden, Mainoo, who had blown many away with his technical brilliance, was not considered good enough, or at least that was the impression Ruben Amorim left us with.

Well, at the turn of the year, INEOS were brave enough to pull the plug on Amorim’s project at M16.

Biggest winner of Amorim’s sacking

Consequently, months later, Mainoo has been the biggest winner of that decision. Recalled to the starting line-up by interim head coach Darren Fletcher and then trusted with a key role by caretaker head coach Michael Carrick, the 21-year-old has gone on to impress.

Trusted with a central, controlling midfield role, he has repaid that faith , dazzling with his composure, technical ability, and tactical maturity. Alongside Casemiro, he has turned an area of concern into an area of strength once more.

In fact, in the 14 games Mainoo has started under Carrick, Manchester United have lost just once. His brilliance at the centre of the park has truly laid the foundation for the 20-time English champions’ resurgence.