Manchester United made midfield recruitment a summer priority, but who plays now?

Kobbie Mainoo’s return to Manchester United’s Premier League starting lineup has reopened a question the club thought it had addressed in the summer: who gets to play in midfield?

Michael Carrick called Mainoo’s performance “immense” after United’s thrilling 5-2 victory over Ipswich at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old started in the Premier League for the first time since surprisingly failing to play a minute at the World Cup. Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, but Carrick made a point of praising Mainoo.

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Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster took a different view. “I love Kobbie,” Foster wrote on Threads. “He’s the future, but he’s not there yet. Be honest with yourself and you’ll know he’s not gonna be one of the first four or five names on the team sheet.” Foster said a season-long loan, where Mainoo would be the central player and relied upon every game, could give him something he would not get at United. Social-media reaction suggested many supporters disagreed, with plenty arguing that Mainoo should already be among Carrick’s first choices.

That debate has consequences because United spent more than £150 million on three international midfielders after making the position a summer priority. Casemiro left when his contract ended, while Manuel Ugarte is out until next year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the World Cup. Going into the transfer window, Mainoo, Fernandes and Mason Mount were the only senior central midfielders, although Fernandes and Mount were more naturally suited to advanced roles.

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I love Kobbie. He’s the future, but he’s not there yet. Be honest with yourself and you’ll know he’s not gonna be one of the first four or five names on the team sheet.

After missing out on Elliott Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United signed Brazil midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million. Belgium international Youri Tielemans then joined from Aston Villa for £35 million. Santos worked well with Mount during early preseason matches, sitting deep and screening the back four, while Mount operated as a number eight. But another injury in early August again disrupted Mount’s availability.

Champions League qualification will add to the pressure. United have five matches in 16 days before the first international break, beginning with a trip to Everton. If Carrick’s side advances in the EFL Cup, the team will have no free midweek until Christmas. Rotation is therefore inevitable, with Carrick emphasizing balance as he works out how the new-look midfield fits together.

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If he can get a year out on loan where he is the main man, where he is needed and relied upon every single game, that will instil something in him he won't get at Manchester United.