Kobbie Mainoo has been rightfully restored to Manchester United’s starting XI ever since Michael Carrick took the reins.
Indeed, the young starlet has been deployed from the off in each of the four matches Carrick has overseen, including this afternoon’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, which is currently in play.
How Kobbie Mainoo is faring in this resurgent United side
It’s safe to say that Mainoo has been repaying his manager’s faith, too. In the first two outings, a 2-0 win in the Manchester derby and a 3-2 triumph away to Arsenal, he covered the most distance of any player on the pitch in both.
Today, he has notched his second goal contribution of the term after assisting Bryan Mbeumo for United’s well-worked opener.
Mbeumo fires United into the lead against Spurs 🔥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/JL4V4aG5pS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 7, 2026
It wasn’t just the assist that made Mainoo’s first-half display so eye-catching, though.
The 20-year-old recorded an 89 per cent passing accuracy, 13 carries, two ball recoveries and two successful take-ons, prompting StatmanDave to claim he was playing ‘like a new signing’.
Now deep into the second half, United are still operating with their narrow 1-0 lead, but are pushing on to try and extend their advantage to give themselves more breathing space as we enter the closing stages of the contest.
Why a win today is essential for Carrick’s Reds
Not only would a win today make it four on the bounce for United, but it will also mark their first over Spurs since October 2022.
It goes without saying that it would also strengthen the side’s standing in the top-four race before fifth-placed Chelsea face Wolverhampton Wanderers at 3pm and sixth-placed Liverpool host Manchester City tomorrow.
After Spurs, the Reds travel to lock horns with strugglers West Ham United in London on Tuesday evening.
It’s an amazing turn-around in results since MC took over the team.
However, watching todays game I can’t help but think that – maybe/hopefully – with a full calendar of games next season(?) will we ‘run out of puff’ halfway through the season?
We’ve been ‘lucky’ in that we have a full week/10 days in between PL games, but what of next season when we’re back in all the competitions?