England star Kobbie Mainoo personally thanks Michael Carrick for World Cup spot

Kobbie Mainoo has expressed gratitude to Michael Carrick for helping him make the England squad for the World Cup.

Carrick returned to the Old Trafford dugout in January as head coach until the end of the season after the club sacked Ruben Amorim.

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Mainoo played only 302 minutes of football and didn’t make a single Premier League start under Amorim during the campaign.

But once Carrick arrived, the 21-year-old became a regular in midfield and missed just one of their 17 league matches together.

He played his part in the strong end-of-season run that led to United finishing third and qualifying for the 2026/27 Champions League.

Carrick is now the permanent United head coach on a deal that runs until 2028.

Mainoo is currently Stateside with his England teammates having been named in the 26-man squad, and has thanked his club boss for the role he played in his call-up.

“We were very happy with it, obviously, we were behind the manager from the start,” he told talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers when asked about Carrick’s hiring.

“So many great performances under him, and I love the way he coaches and manages me personally in the team as well.

“I think everyone in the squad can agree with that, so when he officially got the job, we were all so happy.”

When asked if he had Carrick to partly thank for his World Cup call-up, he said: “Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful.

“Because if he hadn’t put me on the pitch, then I wouldn’t have been here so, I’m always grateful to him for that.”

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World Cup debut pending

Mainoo has earned 12 caps with the England national team and was part of their Euro 2024 squad.

The then-teenager played in six of their seven matches during the tournament – including the final defeat to Spain.

His lack of game time under Amorim in the first half of the season would have cast doubts on his selection for the summer.

However, Mainoo is now set to make his first World Cup appearance, with Thomas Tuchel trusting in his ability.

Before then, England have friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rice, with both matches live on talkSPORT.

They will be played in Florida on June 6 and June 10 respectively.

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What role will Jordan Henderson play?

Henderson is another midfielder to have been selected for England, with the 35-year-old set for his seventh major tournament.

The Brentford star is also heading to his fourth World Cup, although his inclusion in the squad will have been questioned.

He also spoke to talkSPORT on Tuesday at the Three Lions’ training camp in Florida, and explained what Tuchel expects of him.

Henderson remarked: “Just be myself, regardless of whether I’m playing games, whether I’m not, whatever it is, just come and be myself.

“And that’s all I’ve ever tried to do, help the players around as much as possible and also be ready to perform. First and foremost, that’s the main thing, to be ready myself.

“And then, just like I say, enjoy it, but making sure that we’re giving absolutely everything to make everybody back home very proud.”