Manchester United legend Carrick knows how Mainoo feels, having experienced similar under-utilization at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Carrick's unpleasant moment came in 2010 when he was selected for Fabio Capello's 23-man FIFA World Cup squad in South Africa. Carrick might have sensed what was coming – Capello had tried to persuade Paul Scholes to end his international retirement and then considered calling up Owen Hargreaves, who had only played one minute the previous season. Ultimately, Capello still chose Carrick, but England's FIFA World Cup journey was painful, and this feeling was amplified for those who didn't even get a chance to play. They lived in remote locations, played terrible football, and were swept out in the Round of 16 by Germany 4-1.
Eight years later, Carrick reflected on the experience, admitting how deeply it affected him. He didn't play for England again for two years after that. "I was in the squad for a long time, and honestly, going to England training camps was a struggle for me," Carrick said in 2018. "I don't mind going on pre-season for three weeks with Manchester United or something, but with England, it was almost depressing. It frustrated me so much that after the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, I got to the point where I thought, 'I can't do this anymore.' People would say you need to perk up, be grateful, and I understood my situation and how lucky I was, but I just found it too hard and couldn't keep it up anymore. I might have reached... yes, I was sometimes depressed, that's right. I told the FA, 'Please, don't pick me anymore.'"
Mainoo has not yet publicly spoken about his experiences in North America, but if he does one day, it will be interesting to hear his feelings. Carrick played only four games in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while Mainoo was not selected for all eight games, although he was absent on Saturday due to a minor back injury. England observers noted Mainoo's mood changes during the tournament: he left the field quickly and often seemed disappointed, but this is also partly due to his personality – he is a quiet, reserved, and often solitary person. For now, we can only speculate about his feelings.
But if anyone can understand his feelings, it's Carrick. The 44-year-old coach's use of Mainoo during the latter half of last season was a great success, and his understanding of this academy graduate will once again be crucial. Carrick had an immediate impact on Mainoo – the latter returned to the Manchester United squad after being discarded by Ruben Amorim (who apparently shares similarities with Thomas Tuchel). It is meaningful to revisit Carrick's comments on Mainoo back in January this year. "I really enjoy working with Kobbie," Carrick said. "I've known him since he was young, probably around 13 or 14, when I started coaching him, and I was also getting my coaching badges. He has a serious expression, doesn't talk much, but you can see him express himself through his playing style, and he enjoys the game; it's wonderful to see him like that."
Mainoo had a serious expression during his time with England, but we shouldn't over-interpret it. The challenge now is to help him enjoy football again. He is expected to travel with Manchester United to the Carton House training camp in Kildare, Ireland, after the friendly against Paris Saint-Germain. Like Carrick, he might find it more enjoyable to be with the club team than to spend six weeks away with the national team without playing. One day, Mainoo might reveal how he views his summer experience. For now, he at least has a perfect coach to help him get back to his best at Old Trafford.
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