Softfootball understands that Kobbie Mainoo’s season at Manchester United has quietly turned into a redemption story, and maybe even a breakout one.
After a poor run of form that saw Rúben Amorim relieved of his duties and Michael Carrick stepping in as interim manager, the atmosphere around Old Trafford shifted almost overnight. And so did Mainoo’s role.
Following Manchester United’s recent 2–0 victory over Tottenham, speaking on the Rio Meets Podcast, in a video shared via their official X account, Manchester United legend Ferdinand was quick to praise Mainoo’s talent.
Watch the video below:
He focused on the discipline and conditioning required to deliver consistent displays after being sidelined for months. He wanted fans to understand that performances like that don’t come from luck; they come from effort.
Rio Ferdinand said:
Where’s the camera? Where’s the on the tools? Kobbie Mainoo. We asked the question. I asked the question. I hope he’s working. Is he working? Is he doing what the manager’s asking? Is he putting the physical mileage in on a training ground? There’s no doubt in my mind that you come into a team and you run the amount that he has and you put in the performances he has. It is concrete that he was working when he weren’t in the team because you listen, you know, when you’re out the team and you come in, you can get a few good passes off and you can have a few shots and maybe score a couple of goals. Yeah.But the red light comes on at 60 minutes. The tank is empty. The first game you might get for adrenaline, game three, four, you are on the floor. And he must have been doing some real work. So you know what, tip your hat to Kobbie Mainoo.
Stephen Howson, meanwhile, aimed his praise at the defensive side of Mainoo’s game, an area some critics had questioned before. He highlighted how complete the midfielder looked against Spurs, not just tidy on the ball but combative too.
Stephen Howson added:
The most duels on the pitch against Spurs, like it was a proper both sides performance, which that was the question was whether or not he could do the defensive side.
Put together, it paints a clear picture. Mainoo isn’t just surviving under Carrick, he’s growing. And suddenly, he looks like a player Manchester United, who recently prepared new contract talks with Mainoo, might build around. Funny how quickly football changes.
