Rio Ferdinand believes there’s one player at Manchester United that Michael Carrick should build the team around, especially after Carlos Baleba’s latest injury setback.

An awful start to the season has led to uncertainty over Michael Carrick’s position. Manchester United beat Roma 3-2 on Tuesday night, winning their first match since September 10. That’s 54 days without a victory.

There were signs in that second-half comeback against Roma that suggest these players can fight and show character. It’s a matter of doing that consistently; climbing up the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League knockouts.

While the win gave everyone at United a much-needed lift, the conversation now turns to whether the win over Roma will prove to be a turning point. It also comes with the disappointing blow of Carlos Baleba picking up an injury and being forced off shortly after the interval.

Rio Ferdinand stresses Kobbie Mainoo’s importance at Man Utd

Carrick admitted that Baleba’s injury doesn’t look good in his post-match press conference. That means United will likely be without their new signing for a considerable period, so Carrick needs to settle on an effective midfield combination without his primary defensive midfielder.

In turn, this will mean more game time for Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Neither player started last night, but now at least one of them is expected to start against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Tielemans earned praise from Carrick after his substitute cameo, but questions were asked of him earlier in the season whenever he partnered Kobbie Mainoo in the middle. A common criticism is that Tielemans hasn’t got the legs to form a formidable partnership with the England international.

However, there are no questions asked about Mainoo’s place in the team. And rightly so, because he was recently missed due to an injury.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the United team should be built around Mainoo, especially now with Baleba set to be ruled out for a long period with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Speaking about Mainoo after United’s win over Roma, Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I think you look at Kobbie Mainoo.

“I look at him at the start of the game, he was a bit all over the place, but the way he grew into it and the way he just again gained control, especially in the second half, taking the ball under pressure, unfazed.

“I love his mentality. And that stat: Manchester United haven’t lost a game which Kobbie Mainoo has started since September 13th. And whilst he was out injured, they lost five games. So, it tells you he’s got an importance within this team.

“I think it’s the control that he brings. Um, that calmness under pressure taking the ball in all difficult areas in different phases of the pitch. I think it’s important, but I think keeping Kobbie Mainoo fit, especially now Baleba’s out with a hamstring injury. God knows how long he’s out for.

“You need to keep Kobbie Mainoo fit. You need him in this team. You need to make him a centrepiece of this team that we’ve been saying for how long now. And the data is telling you that he has a huge importance for this team if we’re going to go and do anything on winning any games.”

It’s crucial – as Ferdinand said – that Mainoo stays fit and doesn’t suffer more setbacks this season. That would leave the midfield extremely light – at the same time of Baleba’s absence.