Kobbie Mainoo was one of England’s standout performers at their last major tournament in 2024. Following his breakthrough season with Manchester United, the midfielder earned a place in the starting lineup at the European Championships.

Yet as recently as January, a spot in England’s squad for this summer looked far from certain. Mainoo had not started a single Premier League match during the 2025/26 season before Ruben Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford.

There was even speculation that he could leave United on loan in search of regular playing time. Instead, he stayed and became an influential figure under Michael Carrick, helping drive the club’s resurgence as they secured a third-place finish in the league.

Carrick, also a deep-lying midfielder at Old Trafford in his playing days, immediately put trust into Mainoo, who started every game he was available for under the new head coach.

Now back in the England setup, Mainoo will be aiming to make a positive impact at his first World Cup before returning to Manchester ahead of next season with Carrick.

Mainoo is talented enough to be in the England squad, and he is talented enough to break into the first 11 if the opportunity presents itself.

However, no matter how much talent you have, you also need someone to trust you - that is exactly what Carrick offered the 21-year-old.

Speaking to ITV Sport ahead of England's opener vs Croatia on Wednesday, Mainoo was asked how much he owes Carrick for his involvement in the tournament.

"A great deal, a great deal, you know," the United midfielder replied. "He put a lot of trust in me when he came in, he put me straight into the team and kept me there. I’m very grateful to him.” 

The talented Englishman was then asked whether his club manager had given him any advice ahead of his trip to the United States.

"It was more just [him] telling me to be myself, play my football and to be confident. I want to be myself, I want to be confident in the way I play football," added Mainoo.

England's midfield duo for the beginning of the World Cup is very likely to be Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson. They are - soon to be - two £100 million-plus players.

Mainoo cost very little in comparison as he came through the youth academy at United but, at just 21, he already knows how to displace starting players at major tournaments.

Gareth Southgate tried Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher in the midfield at Euro 2024 before Mainoo forced the then-England boss into giving him a chance. The youngster then became one of England's best players up until the final, where they lost 2-1 against Spain.

It is a great experience for Mainoo to travel for his first World Cup, especially after his anonymous first-half of the season, but he will not be content with that, and will want to perform on the pitch at the highest level.