Manchester United got their first three points of this PL season, and Kobbie Mainoo was at the heart of everything good.
Ipswich were put to the sword in a scintillating second-half display that saw four unanswered goals from Man Utd, before the opponents got a late consolation in a 5-2 win.
Many players saved their reputation after a poor first half, but Kobbie Mainoo was someone who was class from the first minute.
Most importantly, he has answered the only two doubts about his game to finally silence his two biggest detractors – Thomas Tuchel and Ruben Amorim.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Mainoo has always been someone who is great at keeping the play ticking with one-two combinations, off-the-ball movement, and linking up the play.
He had a couple of weaknesses in his game, one of which was his range of passing, with the other being his work off the ball.
Could he combine his silky play with combativeness? Could he batten down the hatches and protect the game when it gets frantic? Could he cover the ground needed in modern football?
It’s fair to say that after about six months under Carrick, both of those questions were on their way to getting answered.
After his first start of the season against Ipswich, they have been answered, and in emphatic fashion.
Mainoo was the heartbeat of the team, covering for Tielemans’ forays forward, and making things happen with the ball, be it through carrying or passing.
He has added range to his passing, and his physicality concerns were always overblown, which are being mocked by his performances.
Mainoo, on current form, walks into every team in world football, except two, apparently.
One is the England national team, where Tuchel spent the whole World Cup lamenting a lack of control, but never gave Mainoo a chance.
The other might be Milan, who are managed by Ruben Amorim, who is the root cause of Mainoo having to face these doubts about his game.
He is now capable of quickening the tempo of the game, which Amorim demanded, and is a force of nature physically, which Tuchel wanted.
It’s time that Mainoo is recognised for what he is, instead of being called out unfairly for what people think he is not.
Because, as it stands, he is a complete midfielder after silencing the only two doubts about his game.
Follow the story
