The mood around Old Trafford today is one of, above all, relief. Manchester United ruthlessly dispatched rival Manchester City 2-0, and City will be lucky the scoreline wasn't worse. The relief will be shared by the fans, the players and the manager, and none will be more relieved than midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo has rarely had an opportunity to impress quite like United's game against Manchester City. Two games removed from United's sacking of Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick has been signed as the new interim head coach, and his appointment brings new opportunity to claim a spot in the starting XI.
Kobbie Mainoo had failed to start a single game since August under Ruben Amorim, and Michael Carrick's arrival came with the assumed promise that Mainoo would get more chances in the team. When Mainoo being handed the start against City, he would be playing in a midfield with Bruno Fernandes, something that Amorim insisted wouldn't work. He had a lot to prove.
Mainoo certainly had his fair share of supporters. Mainoo's substitute appearances were often met with the loudest cheers of the night under Amorim. Many United fans never turned their back on Kobbie Mainoo, and were simply waiting for him to get his chance again.
Stakes were as high for Kobbie Mainoo as they were for anyone in the United XI Michael Carrick named for the Manchester derby, and Mainoo gave one of his finest performances in a United shirt.
Kobbie Mainoo proves Ruben Amorim wrong with one performance
Kobbie Mainoo performed exactly as he needed to against Manchester City. Kobbie controlled the midfield alongside Casemiro, dominating an area of the pitch that was also occupied by former Ballon D'Or winner Rodri and former PFA Player of the Year Phil Foden.
Mainoo played the full 90 minutes against United's noisy neighbours, and formed a crucial part of United's attack, recycling play consistently and efficiently, bringing the ball forward and getting it to United's creative outlets.
Mainoo's ability to get the ball to Bruno Fernandes meant Bruno could focus on chance creation, avoiding the dirty work that he had to do under Ruben Amorim. Bruno's freedom allowed him to get into a crucial position for the first goal. Amorim's insistence that Bruno and Kobbie couldn't play together has already been unravelled.
Mainoo also consistently did his defensive duties well, consistently winning the ball back from City's midfielders. He also showcased his most refined ability: his control of the ball in tight spaces. The ability he has to take players out of the game with a drop of the shoulder is incredibly valuable, and Carrick has once again proved how important it can be to United.
Michael Carrick's system favours Mainoo's strengths far more than Amorim's did. But it only took one start under Michael Carrick for him to recognise Mainoo's talents. Carrick clearly shared the view that most Man United fans have always held on to: that Manchester United are better when Kobbie Mainoo is part of the team.