Reborn Kobbie Mainoo hailed as ‘old-school Manchester United’ talent as Nicky Butt identifies midfielder's 'X-factor' attributes

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Kobbie Mainoo has been a man reborn since Michael Carrick took the reins as interim Manchester United manager. The midfielder has started every game under the incoming boss to help The Red Devils go on their longest winning streak for two years. TNT Sports pundit Nicky Butt explained the midfielder's 'X-factor' abilities, while Karen Carney and Michaeil Antonio heaped him with praise.

'I love him' - Mainoo brings 'X-factor' to Man Utd, say Carney and Butt

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A reborn Kobbie Mainoo has been praised as an "old-school Man United" player with huge "mental strength", with Nicky Butt identifying the midfielder’s "X-factor" abilities.

The 20-year-old was left on the margins at Old Trafford after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, but the Portuguese manager’s sacking and subsequent appointment of Michael Carrick have resulted in a revival.

Mainoo has started all four games under the interim boss, contributing two assists across the four wins and, ahead of his fifth consecutive start away to West Ham on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, the TNT Sports punditry team of Butt, Karen Carney, and Michail Antonio were effusive in their praise of the England international.

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"I love him, I always have done. He’s a big-game player as well," Carney said.

"He’s come through the academy. Obviously, he’s next to a senior player in Casemiro, who’s been there and seen everything.

"I like how he wants to play forward. He’s not afraid. He’s old-school Man United - ‘How can I give it to my attacking players quickly?’

Maguire: Mainoo has ‘been magnificent’ since returning to starting XI

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"His work rate is phenomenal. He’s one of the players who has run the most in the last few games. It’s brilliant to see him back."

Butt responded: "I think with Kobbie, the only question isn’t his talent, it’s: can he get box to box?

"When he plays in a three, he doesn’t need to go box to box. He’s got that power and that pace to get past someone with ease. That’s a big X-factor."

Antonio pointed to the challenges of a season where Mainoo’s half-brother was pictured at a game against Bournemouth in December wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ T-shirt.

"What he’s gone through this season has shown his mental strength," Antonio added.

"He was a man on his own island, his brother with that T-shirt. So much happened to him this season.

"For him to come in and just be flying straight away is an unbelievable achievement, and it shows the mental strength of the boy."

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Butt explains Carrick success - ‘Not rocket science’

Butt also explained why the secret to Carrick’s success as Manchester United interim manager lies in the simplicity of his management.

The former Red Devils midfielder found the storied club in a sorry state when he took over in January, but has since led them to four straight wins for the first time since February 2024.

Six-time Premier League winner Butt, a member of United’s famed Class of 92, explained how Carrick has managed to turn things around in such spectacular fashion.

"With Michael, what you see is what you get. He’s calm, he’s astute, and he knows the football club inside out. He was an unbelievable player, and straight away he earns the respect of the players," Butt explained.

"More importantly, he’s put the right players in the right positions and told them what it means to play for Manchester United. It means playing right until the last minute.

'It's not rocket science' - Carrick has instilled belief in Man Utd, says Butt

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"Right now, when United are playing, even if they’re losing 1–0 with 10 minutes to go, I still think they’re going to go on and win the game. That’s historically what this club is all about.

"You can see the players going out on the pitch thinking: ‘We’re Manchester United, and we can beat anybody’. It hasn’t been like that for a while. Since Michael’s come in, that belief is what he’s brought back.
"When you play football, you want to be loved. You want to be appreciated for what you do on the pitch, and I think he’s shown that to a few players in the squad. Certainly Kobbie, and others. He’s put his arm around them and said, ‘I believe in you’.

"I’m sure he’s done that with Casemiro as well, because he’s been a totally different player over the last four games. Kobbie is another, and Bruno (Fernandes) has been fantastic since Michael came in. Those three are now playing together, full of belief, playing the right way. That’s a complete little unit.

"Add Harry (Maguire) and Lisandro Martinez to that, and it’s starting to look like a real football team again.

"It’s not rocket science. he’s put players in the right positions, told them to outwork the opposition, and the talent this squad has will get you results."

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