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Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has insisted that Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence under Michael Carrick has “embarrassed” former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim.

Improved fortunes

Mainoo has emerged as the primary beneficiary of Amorim’s dismissal and Carrick’s appointment as his temporary replacement in December last year.

Amorim was unable to find a place in his plans for Mainoo, often preferring the likes of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro ahead of him. Earlier in the season, Amorim shockingly stated that Mainoo was competing against Bruno Fernandes for a starting berth.

Mainoo found playing time extremely hard to come by and in the final days of the summer transfer window, he asked the club to sanction a loan exit. United refused to grant his request. It’s believed Mainoo was eyeing an exit in the just-concluded winter window, with the likes of Chelsea, Napoli and Bayern Munich all thought to have been eyeing him.

In the final weeks of his troubling tenure, Amorim often lashed out angrily when questioned about Mainoo’s reduced role.

Carrick’s tenure has marked a major shift for Mainoo. The midfielder has started all four games under the new manager, proving instrumental to United’s four consecutive wins.