RUBEN AMORIM felt Kobbie Mainoo could not play alongside Casemiro, that he lacked the legs, muscle or experience.
But the academy graduate has put those 14 bleak months under Amorim behind him with another top performance in United’s dramatic 3-2 over Fulham.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick has won three on the bounce in his matches in charge – a feat that took Amorim a year to achieve.
Carrick has also overseen victories over City, Arsenal and now Fulham with a solid midfield pivot of Mainoo and Casemiro – a combination Amorim was hesitant to play.
Mainoo won his fourth straight start in all competitions after Carrick, and caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, binned Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
While United struggled with two in midfield under Amorim, and likely would have if the same system was deployed against Fulham, Mainoo and Casemiro were colossal in a 4-2-3-1.
And Carrick hailed Mainoo as a “joy to watch” after the Red Devils’ hectic stoppage time win over the Cottagers.
Marco Silva‘s side threatened through the middle at Old Trafford and Casemiro and Mainoo had a game on their hands.
Legendary midfielder Carrick, 44, said: “Kobbie was very, very good today in so many ways again.
“You could see that the way Fulham play and overload the middle times in the movements, and there was a lot of work for Kobbie and Cassie to do, particularly in the middle of the pitch.
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“So that was without the ball, and I thought he’s terrific in that. And then with the ball, I’ve spoken about it before, about the ability to just cope, he’s not really fazed by it.
“He just plays his game. He understands what’s needed and it’s the moments of quality.
“It’s kind of what we come to expect from him in many ways and what I come to expect, but you forget how young he is still.
“He’s still got loads to come, but seeing him today and playing with that kind of confidence and belief. That’s a real joy to watch, to be honest, for any young player.”
Amorim was not being cruel and his doubts were reasonable, Mainoo was 19 when he arrived at the club and Casemiro was often leggy in the middle of the park.
The former Sporting boss viewed Mainoo as little more than back-up for skipper Bruno Fernandes, who has re-established himself as arguably the best No10 in the league.
Fernandes moving back forward has allowed room for Mainoo to come in, with the youngster desperate to make a late bid for a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Having announced his departure at the end of the season, Casemiro is enjoying a United farewell tour, heading home a Fernandes delivery for his fifth of the campaign and setting up Matheus Cunha.
Keeping Mainoo, who was open to a loan move this season after United rejected the idea last summer, must be a priority alongside finding a new midfield partner.
“It’s what we come to expect from him in many ways and what I come to expect, but you forget how young he is still.”
Carrick on Mainoo
United did, however, somewhat fall apart when Casemiro was replaced by Manuel Ugarte on 75 minutes with the Brazil international nursing a booking.
Goals from Casemiro and Cunha, who was also helplessly subbed off, were cancelled out by a superb Raul Jimenez penalty and thunderous strike from sub Kevin.
But two minutes later Fernandes dropped his shoulder and fought off Calvin Bassey to deliver a perfect ball into Benjamin Sesko for 3-2 and trigger pandemonium in the Stretford End in stoppage time.
Bassey had memorably said how easy it was for Fulham to exploit Amorim’s system in the reverse fixture that ended 1-1 in August.
Mainoo was an unused sub at Craven Cottage and started his one and only game of the season under Amorim in the cup upset at Grimsby three days later.
While Mainoo booted a cone in celebration before hugging Sesko, Luke Shaw, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui made a beeline for Fernandes.
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham
MANCHESTER United made it three out of three under Michael Carrick with a thrilling 3-2 win over Fulham.
There were some superb performances across the pitch as they kept up their charge for a Champions League spot.
But who was the brightest star – and who could be on their way out regardless of who is manager next season?
Read Katherine Walsh’s player ratings right here to find out.
