Michael Carrick has hailed Kobbie Mainoo as “immense” after the Manchester United midfielder helped drive a 5-2 comeback victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
Mainoo made his first start of the season as United responded to last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Hull City. Bruno Fernandes claimed the headlines with a hat-trick, but Mainoo’s display in the centre of midfield offered Carrick an equally significant boost.
United fell behind to Leif Davis’s 29th-minute opener, yet Fernandes levelled before half-time. Jacob Greaves’s own goal, two further strikes from the captain and Bryan Mbeumo’s late effort completed a convincing victory, with Chuba Akpom scoring a stoppage-time consolation for Ipswich.
Kobbie Mainoo earns Michael Carrick’s praise
Carrick was asked after the match what Mainoo could improve following his return to the starting line-up. “On today’s performance, not much really,” the manager said, describing him as “pretty much all-around very good for a first start back”.
“I understand Bruno will get a lot of credit today, and he deserves that as well, but I thought Kobbie was immense in the middle of the pitch for us and underpinned the performance of the team,” Carrick added.
Sky Sports noted that Mainoo completed more dribbles than any other player on the pitch and made three tackles. His ability to receive possession under pressure, evade challenges and carry the ball into advanced areas was particularly valuable once United recovered from their slow start.
The performance also underlined the England international’s physical strength and composure. Mainoo helped United regain control of the midfield and provided the balance that had been missing during the defeat at Hull.
His display could now give Carrick a difficult decision to make. Manchester United have strengthened their midfield during the summer, with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos among the new arrivals, while Carlos Baleba was introduced to the Old Trafford crowd before kick-off.
That competition means Mainoo is not guaranteed a regular place, but his showing against Ipswich strengthened the case for his continued involvement. Fernandes supplied the goals that secured United’s first win of the campaign; Mainoo helped make the result possible by controlling the contest behind him.
The victory was United’s first five-goal Premier League performance since they beat Leeds United 5-1 on the opening day of the 2021-22 season. It also marked Marcus Rashford’s first league start for the club since 1 December 2024, while United registered 33 shots in an emphatic response to their opening-weekend setback.
