Michael Carrick has told reporters he regularly checked in with Kobbie Mainoo during the summer after the 21-year-old midfielder travelled with England to the World Cup but did not play a minute.
Support through a difficult tournament
United’s senior coaching staff, Carrick among them, have been monitoring Mainoo’s situation following what Carrick described as a testing experience for the young player. Mainoo was included in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad after a strong second half of the season at Manchester United, a period in which the midfielder’s progress accelerated under Carrick’s guidance.
Despite his selection, Mainoo did not feature in matches at the tournament. Carrick noted that Tuchel preferred other midfield options during the World Cup, with Jordan Henderson and Reece James deployed ahead of Mainoo in that role. Mainoo also missed England’s bronze medal match against France with a minor back injury.
“He’s been great since he’s come back,” Carrick said. “I was in contact with him quite a bit through the summer and I’ve been in that position myself and not played at a World Cup, and I know from the outside you can look in…”
Carrick emphasised the humanity of players and the psychological challenge of being part of a major tournament without contributing on the pitch. He highlighted the need for support when a player faces such frustrations, drawing on his own experience of being in similar circumstances.
Return to club preparations
Mainoo has rejoined Manchester United’s pre-season activities at the club’s County Kildare training camp. Carrick reported that the midfielder “looks in a good place” and has returned in “great spirits” as he resumes preparations for the coming campaign.
Speaking about Mainoo’s broader prospects, Carrick framed the World Cup call-up as an important career milestone in itself, acknowledging both the disappointment of not playing and the significance of being part of the squad.
- Age: 21
- Club: Manchester United
- National squad: Named in England’s 26-man World Cup squad but did not play
- Injury: Missed bronze match with a minor back problem
Carrick underlined that while the outward view of international tournaments is often the “glitz” and “glamour,” players are “human beings” who experience highs and lows. He said Mainoo’s selection for the World Cup signalled his rapid rise and remains an achievement to build on.
Implications for Mainoo and United
Although Mainoo did not take the field in North America, his presence in the squad may carry longer-term benefits: exposure to tournament preparation, training with senior internationals and the experience of being part of a major event. Carrick pointed to these steps as valuable for a player he described as still very young and having already achieved a great deal quickly.
Back at United’s pre-season base, Mainoo faces the familiar domestic challenge of converting training progress into consistent first-team minutes. Carrick’s comments suggest the club’s coaching staff remain supportive and believe Mainoo can use the experience as motivation ahead of the new season.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament | World Cup (summer) |
| Squad status | Included in 26-man England squad, did not play |
| Return | Pre-season, County Kildare |
Carrick’s public support, and the detail that he maintained regular contact through the summer, offers a window into how clubs and coaches attempt to protect young players’ welfare after difficult episodes. For Mainoo, the near-term agenda remains the same as for many rising talents: regain rhythm in training, stay fit and translate potential into sustained senior appearances.
How Mainoo responds on the pitch this season will determine whether the World Cup experience becomes a stepping stone or a temporary setback. For now, club and coach report a player in good spirits and ready to continue his development.
