Casemiro has described Kobbie Mainoo as the present of Manchester United, yet warned that fear of losing a starting place must keep the midfielder driving standards, after a season that has moved from frustration to central importance for the team.
Mainoo initially found chances limited under Ruben Amorim earlier in the campaign, but the situation has changed under interim head coach Michael Carrick. The 21-year-old is now central to United’s midfield structure and is trusted in key Premier League and European matches.
Under Carrick, Mainoo has logged the second-most minutes of any United player. The midfielder has completed 698 passes, the highest total in the squad, while also placing third for interceptions with 16 and third for tackles won
with 15 across all competitions.
That influence has helped Manchester United secure a return to the Champions League next season. Carrick’s work during this period, with Mainoo at the core of the side, has also led to links with the permanent managerial position beyond the interim spell.
Mainoo’s rise has been backed by a new long-term agreement. The midfielder signed a five-year contract that runs until June 2031, underlining United’s plan to build around the 21-year-old at Old Trafford in the coming seasons, both domestically and in Europe.
Casemiro highlighted Mainoo’s personality as a strength as well as an area to manage. "He's very easy. He's slow. He's a calm guy. Very calm. But for me this guy is the present in the football club," Casemiro said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
Then and now. Kobbie's first and 100th appearance for United pic.twitter.com/fMw995I3riManchester United (@ManUtd) May 10, 2026
Kobbie Mainoo and Manchester United targets and advice
Casemiro also revisited Mainoo’s early-season struggle for minutes under Amorim, using it as a lesson. "Kobbie is an unbelievable player but he needs to train, train, train. He needs fear: I play, I dont play.’ In this moment [under Amorim] he doesnt play too much and I talked to him: maybe its the first time he doesnt play, but its not the last. You dont need to drop the training. You dont need to drop your head. You need change. How? Work. Work. Work. Talk with the manager what you need to change about this. "
Manchester United now need just one more point from the final two league fixtures to confirm third place in the Premier League. The Red Devils face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday, then complete their season with an away match against Brighton on May 24.
