Brilliant Kobbie Mainoo earns special praise from Michael Carrick after United’s Champions League win

Manchester United midfielder impresses as Carrick’s side make winning return to Europe’s premier competition

Kobbie Mainoo’s influential performance in Manchester United’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah earned special praise from manager Michael Carrick, who described working with the midfielder as “a joy”.

United returned to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since December 2023 and produced a comfortable victory over the Azerbaijani champions at Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez were on target as United secured a convincing result, with the hosts rarely troubled during the match.

Their biggest scare came when Joy-Lance Mickels missed a clear opportunity while United were leading 1-0, but Carrick’s side otherwise controlled the contest.

Mainoo impresses in midfield

Mainoo was one of the standout performers for United, producing a composed display in the middle of the pitch.

The England midfielder completed 81 successful passes, the highest total recorded by any player during the match.

It was also the highest number of successful passes by an English Manchester United player in the competition since Carrick completed 89 against Panathinaikos in 2014.

Carrick was quick to highlight Mainoo’s contribution after the final whistle.

“He’s a fantastic player, it’s pretty obvious to see,” Carrick told TNT Sports of Mainoo, who has started United’s last two Premier League games after being benched for their season-opening defeat to Hull City.

“He has a massive influence on our games. He is a real joy to have, he wants to improve, he wants to listen and it is great to see.”

Mainoo’s recent involvement comes after he was left out of the starting side for the opening league defeat by Hull City.

He has since started United’s following two Premier League matches.

Carrick pleased with midfield options

The United manager also discussed the competition for places in midfield after Mason Mount and Andrey Santos were introduced from the bench.

He said: “We’ve got really good players. It’s nice to get Mason and Andrey in. There are some good connections, and we played some good football through the middle of the pitch.

“A lot of it is about the wavelength and understanding of where each other wants the ball. Just understanding and developing that is something we have done a bit more this season.

“We haven’t had the perfect start but there are really good signs. It’s always nice to win the first one at home.”

The result also gave Carrick a place in English managerial history.

He became only the second English manager to win his first two Champions League matches, joining Liam Rosenior, who achieved the feat with Chelsea last season.

However, Carrick’s two victories came more than four years apart.

His first came during his initial interim spell in charge, when United defeated Villarreal 2-0 in November 2021.

Clean sheet gives United defensive boost

The victory was also significant for United’s defence, as they recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

They had conceded twice in each of their opening three Premier League matches, losing 2-0 to Hull City, beating Ipswich Town 5-2 and drawing 2-2 with Everton.

The clean sheet therefore provided some much-needed defensive confidence ahead of a major test.

Dorgu welcomes defensive improvement

Patrick Dorgu said the result was important for the team’s confidence, particularly with the Manchester derby approaching.

“It was good. Really, thank you to God for giving me the opportunity to play in the Champions League,” Dorgu said.

“I’m really happy with my performance, happy that the team got three points, and we’re up and running in the Champions League.

“In the last couple of games, we have conceded a lot of goals, so it’s good to get some confidence going into the derby at the weekend.”

Manchester derby next for United

United’s attention now turns to the first Manchester derby of the season.

Manchester City are due to visit Old Trafford on Sunday, giving Carrick’s side another demanding test after their impressive Champions League victory.

For Mainoo, the performance against Sabah provided another opportunity to demonstrate his influence in midfield, while United will hope the clean sheet and four-goal victory can provide momentum ahead of the derby.

The Champions League campaign has therefore begun with a convincing result, but United’s focus now switches back to domestic football and Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City.