Despite £160m overhaul, Mainoo still must be the centrepiece of Manchester United’s midfield

Roughly £150 million in guaranteed fees – and nearer £160 million once add-ons are included – brought Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford. Yet the most persuasive argument for United’s rebuilt midfield was already there.

Mainoo’s first start of the season, in Sunday’s 5-2 win over Ipswich, felt like a timely reminder of his worth. Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick and supplied an assist, but Mainoo was outstanding in the middle of the park. Michael Carrick called him “immense”.

The 21-year-old completed more dribbles than anybody on the pitch, used possession intelligently and made three tackles.

There was the familiar composure in tight spaces, but also a more imposing version of Mainoo without the ball. He competed for second balls, protected his defenders and gave United the control that had been conspicuously absent when Santos and Tielemans were paired during the opening defeat at Hull.

Had Mainoo produced that performance for Brighton or Benfica, United would presumably be preparing a £100 million bid while explaining that the market is the market.

Instead, he is an academy graduate whose progress stalled badly under Ruben Amorim, who did not start him in a single Premier League game last season. He then travelled to the World Cup with England without playing a minute. Ipswich was his first start for almost three months.

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His return complicates Carrick’s selection but clarifies the central principle: the newcomers should be competing to partner Mainoo, not to replace him.

Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa for £35 million, appears the obvious choice when United expect to dominate possession. He and Mainoo are the cleanest passers among Carrick’s deeper options and, against Ipswich, moved the ball quickly enough to sustain attacks without turning every turnover into a fire drill.

The concern is whether that pairing offers sufficient recovery speed and defensive coverage against stronger, more athletic midfields.

That is where Baleba comes in. The £65 million arrival from Brighton – with another £5 million potentially due – offers ball-winning, carrying power and considerably more ground coverage.

Against opponents capable of pressing United or attacking through midfield, his athleticism should release Mainoo to receive higher up the pitch and slip away from pressure rather than spending the afternoon plugging holes.

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Santos provides another variation. He could complement a more disciplined Mainoo when United require additional runners, although their partnership would still need time to develop.

There need not be one permanent combination. Tielemans offers control, Baleba power and Santos movement; the opposition should determine which quality Carrick prioritises. What Ipswich demonstrated is that Mainoo can supply the common thread.

United have spent a fortune rebuilding their midfield. Its centrepiece should still be the player who cost them nothing.

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