Kobbie Mainoo says his “dream” is to restore Manchester United to the top of football and bring back the success associated with the club’s golden era.
Mainoo was speaking to Clarence Seedorf at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground before the club’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Their interview formed the third part of a conversation for an Amazon Prime Video programme.
Seedorf recalled Manchester United’s past dominance and asked Mainoo about his ambitions at the club he grew up supporting.
“Coach Carrick won here and experienced Manchester United’s golden era firsthand,” Mainoo said. “I hope to rekindle that glory and feel that splendour again. Everyone misses Manchester United’s past, and I want to bring that glory back to the present, to keep winning here. My dream is to bring this club back to the top.”
Seedorf praised Michael Carrick’s work as manager, describing him as a professional and outstanding former player who was making “very wise” decisions. He also stressed how important it can be for a young player to have a coach who believes in them.
Mainoo, who spent a period of the season with limited playing time, said the experience had taught him patience and self-discipline.
“I learned a lot off the pitch, including patience,” he said. “I developed a stable routine. I can only control what I can control: training and my life off the pitch, maintaining physical fitness, and sustaining my competitive level.”
Asked whether that period had been difficult, Mainoo replied: “Not easy.”
Seedorf said he had faced a similar challenge at Inter, going three consecutive months without playing around seven years into his career. He described the experience as a psychological battle, saying matches were when players demonstrated themselves and felt part of the team.
Mainoo said the key was to remain prepared.
“A season without playing feels incredibly long, but even if you can’t see a breakthrough, you must continue to train and treat the next match as your opportunity,” he said. “The key is to always be ready.”
The midfielder also outlined the areas of his game he wants to develop. Although he is often viewed as someone who links play by receiving and distributing possession, Mainoo wants to produce more decisive passes and influence matches through dribbling.
“I want to refine my killer passes, the kind of passes that lead to assists and goals, creating opportunities for my teammates,” he said. “I hope to create more opportunities and dictate the flow of the game through passing and dribbling.”
Mainoo added that he was ready to handle the responsibility of playing in Manchester United’s midfield, where every match brings significant pressure. He wants his team-mates to trust him and aims to control the tempo through his ball control.
He said the noise at Atletico Madrid would not make him nervous, adding that he uses the sound of supporters during the warm-up to absorb the atmosphere. In Champions League matches, he also takes time to experience unfamiliar pitches before kick-off, believing this helps make a new stadium feel more familiar.
Seedorf ended the interview by praising Mainoo for keeping a previous shirt agreement and promised to bring his treasured original jersey.
