Kobbie Mainoo tells who at Man Utd he is 'grateful' to for England World Cup call

Kobbie Mainoo tells what he did to keep positive when he wasn't playing under Ruben Amorim and who he has to thank at Manchester United for his World Cup call up with England.

The United youth product has gone from strength to strength since Christmas, helping to achieve Champions League qualification and his performances saw him picked for England this summer.

Amorim could not find a way to fit Mainoo into his system, experimenting with him in different positions.

He would always say that Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes were competing for the same place in midfield and so there was no opening there for him.

Mainoo did not start a Premier League game this season until Amorim was sacked.

Michael Carrick immediately reinstated him to the starting team, and his sparkling form in the second half of the campaign played an important part in United clinching third place.

United have rewarded Mainoo with a new five-year contract to safeguard his future at Old Trafford.

"I mean, obviously there were difficult times but I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has," Mainoo told reporters in the US.

And he pinpointed Carrick saying it was thanks to him he is now in the World Cup squad.

"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," he said.

On Carrick's appointment, he continued: "We were very happy with it, obviously, 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. When he officially got the job, we were all so happy."

The youngster believes England can win the World Cup. "One hundred per cent,” he said. “I feel like everyone in the squad, staff, everyone believes we can win it.

"But that doesn’t come easy. It’s very special, something I’ve dreamed of, and I’m sure all the players have dreamed of since they were really young.

“So to be here and say that I’m playing in a World Cup is unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup for all my life.

"It’s the biggest tournament in the world, so it’s definitely different from the Euros, but we will try and approach it in the same way with the goal that we want to win.”

Mainoo really showed his quality to the world in Euro 2024, playing in the final where Gareth Southgate's side was beaten by Spain.