One of the biggest talking points of the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United was his use, or lack thereof, of academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo in the first team. 

The Portuguese manager was using him sparingly last season, and things only got worse this campaign - Mainoo had not started a single Premier League game in 25/26 before Amorim was dismissed in early January. 

However, under Michael Carrick, the 20-year-old has gone straight back into the team, starting all three games since he took over on an interim basis. In fact, he has played every single minute under Carrick. 

It does not feel exaggerated to say he has been really good in all three of those games, too, particularly the win over Fulham at Old Trafford last Sunday. So, what has changed? 

Sometimes, less is more. Football can often be just about simplifying things. Since taking over, Carrick has moved the team to a 4231 - the formation he used at Middlesbrough - with Mainoo playing next to Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes playing as the number ten. 

Roles that suit all three players. Neither the youngster nor Casemiro are the most mobile of players, so playing them and Fernandes in midfield means they have less ground to cover. The Portuguese midfielder is very tenacious for an attacking player and will help those two, and the team in general, in any way he can. 

Although being a former player does not guarantee you success as a manager, the fact that Carrick was such a successful midfielder, and at United, means there probably aren't many managers better equipped to get the best of a deeper midfield player. 

The best thing about flaws being hidden is that it simultaneously allows your best attributes to be highlighted. With less ground to cover, there is more impetus on Mainoo's ability with the ball. 

Despite United having just 42% of the ball against Fulham, the England international had 71 touches of the ball and completed 5/7 accurate long balls during the 90 minutes. 

However, he was very good off the ball too - winning 6/7 ground duels. We can forget he is still so young and can continue to improve physically, which Sunday shows he is doing. 

Although it was an absolute beauty of a long-range strike from Matheus Cunha to win the game at Arsenal, Mainoo played no small part. Sure, the assist was not a hard pass, but the footwork to play out of danger and away from one of the best ball winners in the world, Declan Rice, was absolutely superb, and helped United win the game. 

It's that sort of ability to play under pressure in the middle of the park that is so important for progressing the ball. We saw it in the first half of the Manchester derby, where his body feint allowed him to take Antoine Semenyo out of the game and completely open up the pitch for an attack. 

Before the appointment of Carrick, Mainoo had played just 397 minutes this season. 319 of those were under Amorim, 78 under Fletcher, and now 270 under Carrick. United's number 37 has already played more Premier League minutes in the last three games than he had all season. 

Just great to see. Lots of talk had suggested he wanted a loan move this window to get game time ahead of the World Cup. Well, now he is getting those much-needed starts at United. 

So far under Thomas Tuchel, Mainoo has not been called up to a single squad. His last cap was a UEFA Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland back in September of 2024, and the cap before that was the Euros final against Spain in Germany. 

What a shame it would be if he goes from starting the final of the Euros to not even being in the World Cup squad. Let's hope Tuchel has been watching his recent performances and that he can continue to impress until the end of the season, making his way into the squad in the process.

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