Michael Carrick said Kobbie Mainoo is a "real joy" to work with after the England international caught the eye in Manchester United's 4-0 thrashing of Sabah on the Red Devils' return to the Uefa Champions League.
On his first Champions League start, Mainoo completed 81 passes in just 64 minutes on the field to continue his revival under Carrick. Largely overlooked by Carrick's predecessor Ruben Amorim, Mainoo has played a major role in United's upturn since the former midfielder took charge in January.
"He's a fantastic player, I think it's pretty obvious to see," said Carrick.
"The way he's performing, playing that little bit deeper really and connecting the attacks, starting the attacks and having a massive influence on our games. He's a real joy to kind of have; he wants to learn, he wants to improve, he wants to listen, and he expresses himself on the pitch. It's great to see."
United reinforced their midfield with the signings of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba in the transfer window. Yet, Mainoo's importance was underlined when he did not start on the opening weekend of the season in a 2-0 defeat at Hull.
Mainoo missed most of pre-season after he was part of the England squad that reached the Fifa World Cup 2026 semi-finals, albeit he did not play a single minute in the tournament. Since he has been restored to the starting line-up, alongside Tielemans and captain Bruno Fernandes, United have scored 11 times in three games.
"I think through the middle of the pitch we've played some good football at times," added Carrick. "I thought some of our attacking play was fantastic."
Matheus Cunha scored his first goal of the season while captain Bruno Fernandes, forward Benjamin Šeško, and centre-back Lisandro Martínez were also on the scoresheet on a comfortable night for the Man United.
"I think it was perfect for everyone, especially our fans," Šeško told TNT Sports.
"It means a lot to them, especially when they see so many goals. I think it was great for us in general to give us more motivation for the upcoming games."
Carrick even had the luxury of bringing on youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey for their Champions League bows as he sought to rest legs ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby.
Meanwhile, goals from Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, Greece forward Tasos Douvikas, and Senegal's Assane Diao put Como in control against RB Leipzig. Serbia midfielder Andrija Maksimovic pulled a goal back for Leipzig before Maximo Perrone sealed a 4-1 victory late on a dream night in northern Italy.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane scored for the eighth Champions League game in a row as he powered home a header from Olise's free-kick, with Bayern Munich eventually overcoming a spirited Bodo/Glimt 5-0.
Jamal Musiala had given them the lead shortly after a goalless first half, and after Kane's goal, Alphonso Davies shot into the bottom corner when Olise's corner was only half-cleared. It was Musiala's first goal since he collapsed on the pitch during pre-season due to a neurological condition.
"Scoring a goal — pure happiness," Musiala told DAZN. "I just want to perform well again ... I just want to get back to my level step by step, playing with a sense of ease, joy, and fun on the pitch."
Olise got in on the act with a sumptuous finish seven minutes from time before Odin Bjortuft was dismissed for the Norwegians. Olise then completed the rout with his second. | AFP
Uefa Champions League matchday 1 results
Tuesday
Club Brugge 2, Aston Villa 3
AEK 1, LASK 0
Porto 0, Man City 2
Real Madrid 2, Inter Milan 1
Dortmund 3, Villarreal 2
LOSC 2, Betis 3
Wednesday
Barcelona 5, Feyenoord 1
VfB Stuttgart 3, Viking 1
Napoli 0, Arsenal 1
Liverpool 2, Atlético Madrid 1
PSG 6, Slovan Bratislava 1
SCP 3, Galatasaray 1
Thursday
Fenerbahçe 1, Roma 1
PSV 1, Shakhtar Donetsk 1
Bayern 5. Bodø/Glimt 0
Slavia Praha 2, Lens 3
Como 4, RB Leipzig 1
Man Utd 4, Sabah 0