Man Utd star becomes their new Mainoo

Where would Manchester United be if they hadn't fired Ruben Amorim? Well, it's impossible in the Champions League next season.

The work done by Michael Carrick at Old Trafford looked amazing. Since taking charge on his debut in matchweek 22, they have played 14 games and sit top of the Premier League form table during that time.

The dramatic turnaround, capped on Sunday by qualifying for next season's Champions League, was a dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool.

During his tenure so far, Carrick has largely avoided the spectacular and hectic football. However, their victory over the Merseysiders this weekend was a mess.

At the center of the game was Kobbie Mainoo again.

Kobbie Mainoo has given it to Manchester United again

We'll be honest, we're still scratching our heads as to why on earth the aforementioned Amorim decided to ditch Mainoo and remain on the bench.

With the Portuguese in charge, the young midfielder did not start a single Premier League game this season. However, since Carrick's arrival, the English coach has started every game except for the 2-1 loss to Leeds, a game he missed due to injury.

In that time, he has played the full 90 minutes 12 times in 13 away starts. The transformation is not only in form but ordinary minutes become extraordinary.

Four months on, Mainoo is now certain to make Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad. He also revealed why he is one of the first names on the team sheet at United. So, the announcement of a new five-year deal last Thursday came as no surprise.

Under Amorim, it looked like he would go. Carrick, however, revived his career and with it, revived Manchester United.

Mainoo played well of late and was a class apart again against Liverpool, scoring the winning goal. The ball broke on the edge of the penalty box and the 21-year-old was the quickest to react.

He got in front of his man and slipped the ball to Freddie Woodman. It was a great performance, a game that should have been won when United let a two-goal lead slip away.

Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko had sent the hosts 2-0 up at the break but a poor second half saw Liverpool struggle through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.

However, Mainoo stepped up again to win the match. He was brilliant, as was another young Englishman who became their next big hope.

Man United's new Mainoo shines against Liverpool

This was one of the most topsy-turvy games you can find.

In attack, United were at their best, especially in the first half. Cunha, in particular, made fun down the left. The Liverpool defender was no match for the giant Benjamin Sesko.

However, in the second half, everything changed. Two gifts, first from Amad and then Senne Lammens, who both gave the ball away, led to two goals for Liverpool.

Despite that, it was a solid defensive performance. You can't account for mistakes like this. Mistakes that Ayden Heaven never looked like making.

This kid cost £1m. £1m. He was awarded away from Arsenal in February 2025, nobody batted an eyelid when he transferred. After all, the Gunners already have William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes back.

A product of the Hale End academy, it must touch Arsenal that Zulu has become such an important part of United's future.

Like Mainoo, the 19-year-old has had to be patient to get his chances this campaign but is now playing a big role for Carrick from the center of defence.

His appearance in this name has become similar to that of Marcus Rashford in the last few years. When thrown into the depths of a bucket carrying injuries, Heaven would either sink or swim. Of course he was swimming.

He started the first 11 games of Carrick's spell on the bench but with Lisandro Martinez suspended and Matthijs de Ligt out through injury, the young defender has stepped up when it mattered.

He kept a clean sheet against Chelsea, kept things tidy in a 2-1 win over Brentford and perhaps saved one of his best performances in a United shirt against Liverpool.

In such a big game, the young man was not worried at all. He won all six of his duels, completed 87% of his passes and had four fumble recoveries. He never passed.

Like Mainoo, you have this sense of calmness, this sense of superiority. Another youngster making waves under Carrick, his rise to first-team appearances in recent weeks has certainly been matched by the way the United midfielder has risen in recent weeks.

Even Martinez will return soon, he realizes that Zulu must maintain his relationship with Harry Maguire in the remaining weeks of the season. You absolutely deserve him.