What Kobbie Mainoo told Michael Carrick says everything about Man Utd relationship
Kobbie Mainoo has been transformed since Michael Carrick arrived at Manchester United in January and will now look to star for England at the World Cup
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has credited his England World Cup call-up to Red Devils boss Michael Carrick. The 21-year-old struggled badly at Old Trafford under Carrick's predecessor, Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese refused to find a place for Mainoo in his much-maligned 3-4-2-1 formation having not started the United academy graduate in a single Premier League game this season before he was sacked in January. Amorim's reluctance to play him led to fears that United would lose one of their most gifted players - less than two years on from him scoring the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
But the central midfielder has been revived since Carrick initially took over on an interim basis on January 13. Mainoo, alongside midfield partner Casemiro, played a key role in United's surge during the second half of the season - helping the Red Devils finish third and secure Champions League football.
And Mainoo has opened up on Carrick's impact - sharing his happiness when hearing the news that he had been appointed United head coach on a permanent basis. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "We were very happy with it, obviously, we were behind the manager from the start. So many great performances under him, and I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well.
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"I think everyone in the squad can agree with that, so when he officially got the job, we were all so happy." Mainoo will now look to continue his good form for the Three Lions this summer. The Stockport-born star has put his England selection down to Carrick - revealing what he told him when hearing the news.
He added: "I told him that I was very grateful. Because if he hadn't put me on the pitch, then I wouldn't have been here so, I'm always grateful to him for that."
England are currently training in Florida ahead of Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand. They then face Costa Rica in their final friendly on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel's men will be based in Kansas City for the tournament as they look to avoid having to endure gruelling coast-to-coast flights ahead of each match. The Three Lions kick-off their campaign in Texas on June 17 against Croatia before fixtures against Ghana and Panama in Group L.
