MANCHESTER, England — In an alternate world, Koby Mainu is currently playing for a team other than Manchester United. Perhaps he would have worn Napoli’s light blue, given that the Serie A champions have twice shown interest in signing the midfielder during a disastrous year under manager Ruben Amorim.
Instead, Mainu’s nightmare was ended by head coach Michael Carrick rather than Antonio Conte. The 20-year-old’s return to action in red helped United and Carrick claim four successive Premier League wins.
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford was largely due to Cristian Romero’s first-half red card, but it also had a lot to do with Maynou’s solid performance in the center of the pitch.
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After such a rapid improvement in performance, it’s natural to look at what made the difference. The two most obvious changes are the change from a back three to a back four and the decision to bring Mynou back from a cold spell.
There is good reason to feel sorry for Amorim. However, it is difficult to understand how the Portuguese coach came to the conclusion that his team is much better without Mainu. This season he has already played more time in the Premier League with Carrick than he has with Amorim.
“I have no doubts about Coby’s ability and what he brings to the table,” Carrick said after the game. “He’s still very young and still learning the game. He didn’t play for a while after his big high. It’s easier to think he’s older than he actually is.”
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One would imagine that after spending so much time on the sidelines, Mainu is still gaining speed. While he was on the bench, he may have lost some of his game rhythm — which isn’t always obvious when you watch him play — but he didn’t forget how to bend the ball to his will.
Look at United’s first goal. United’s first-team coach Jonny Evans received a word of thanks from Carrick, who devised the short corner routine that put the home side ahead after 38 minutes. The idea was smart, but it worked because Mainu’s timing was perfect as he darted off the front post towards the corner flag, and his no-look over-the-shoulder pass to Brian Mbeumo was spot-on.
It’s the type of touch Mainu creates countless times over the course of 90 minutes. Most receive little attention. Less than 10 minutes after Romero’s red card, United found the back of the net and it was the decisive goal. “The first goal is important to take the lead,” Carrick said after the game.
In the second half, Diogo Dalot’s cross was converted with a delicate flick and Bruno Fernandes scored to make it 2-0. This ended Spurs’ hopes of a comeback and ensured United still finish the weekend in the top four.
Mainoo also provided an assist in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, and his recent form has seen him likely to be included in England’s FIFA World Cup squad. If this continues between now and the next international break in March, it will be difficult for England manager Thomas Tuchel to ignore. If he performs well in the final training camp before going to the United States, there is a good chance he will get a seat on the plane. It was less than two years ago that Mainu, then a teenager, started for his country in the European Championship final.
“There’s definitely more to come,” Carrick said. “That’s the stage he is in his career, learning the game, playing next to Casemiro and learning from him. He’s learning things that he doesn’t even realize. That’s part of his journey to learn and develop.”
Things changed quickly for Maynou, and also for Spurs manager Thomas Frank. It wasn’t that long ago that the Danish manager was in high demand at Brentford, with offers from United among others. It is doubtful whether he is still wanted at Tottenham at the moment.
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Michalik blames Romero for ‘responsibility’ after red card against Manchester City
Janusz Michalik has reacted to Cristian Romero’s red card in Tottenham’s game against Man United.
From being photographed drinking in the Arsenal cup to having to defend captain Romero over an inconsiderate social media post, things seem to be happening one after the other for Frank. In that game, Romero was sent off after 29 minutes for an unnecessary but nasty challenge on Casemiro, before Mbeumo, a player he developed at Brentford and tried to sign for Spurs in the summer, opened the scoring. It ended with United fans singing “You’ll be sacked in the morning” as Frank stood in the rain in Manchester.
“I have no choice but to continue,” he said after the match. “Of course we will do it, but in life and in football there are tough times, but we face it. There is no other way.”
While Frank is trying to cheer up Tottenham, who have gone seven league games without a win, Carrick is riding the crest of a wave. Spurs were a bogey team under Amorim. They lost three and drew one out of four games, including a disastrous defeat in the UEFA Europa League final in May. However, Tottenham were pushed aside by Carrick in the first round, leaving United unbeaten in eight games for the first time since February 2022.
A question that has dogged Amorim for a long time has been when United will win back-to-back league games. Fans streaming from Old Trafford are now discussing the possibility of next season’s UEFA Champions League football. More optimistic supporters are even questioning whether there is still a chance of overtaking Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table.
Football has a way of changing rapidly. Just ask Carrick, Frank, and Mynu.
