As Michael Carrick said after the 5-2 win over Ipswich, while hat-trick hero Bruno Fernandes will grab all the headlines, Kobbie Mainoo was the unsung hero of that win.
After being stunned by Hull City on match day one, Manchester United needed a massive response against Ipswich Town on match day two.
Fortunately, that is exactly what they delivered, pulling off a dominant 5-2 win over the Tractor Boys.
That said, while most will be speaking about that win, most will certainly touch on how crucial Kobbie Mainoo was in it.
Back in the starting line-up
Needing to approach the game differently, Carrick made Mainoo one of four changes to his starting line-up, and those changes, Mainoo’s introduction especially, proved hugely influential.
The young midfielder instantly transformed United’s engine room, giving it the control and dominance it craved against Hull City.
His confidence, composure, and quality were clear to everyone. Indeed, he put in a proper shift, laying the foundation for United’s dominance.
Maguire blown away
Speaking after the game, as per the Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, Harry Maguire was full of praise for the force Mainoo is turning out to be under Carrick.
The defender said of his teammate, “His work without the ball has improved so much since Michael’s been in. He’s becoming a real monster in there. He wins a lot of second balls, a lot of duels.
“You won’t want to play against him in there; that’s the biggest compliment I can give to him.”
Mainoo key to Carrick’s United
Indeed, Mainoo’s importance since Carrick took over is clear.
Unlike his predecessor, Ruben Amorim, Carrick is a tactician who knows how to identify top talent and how to get the best out of it.
With Mainoo in the starting line-up, United under Carrick have 13 wins, three draws and one defeat in the Premier League. Without him, that record drops to one draw and two defeats.
Mainoo is certainly central to Carrick’s tactics at United; this team cannot function without him, and that is exactly what Maguire is trying to say.
Featured image by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
