Kobbie Mainoo credited Michael Carrick for the belief he has given Manchester United's players, after they delivered Champions League qualification with a 3-2 win over Liverpool.

Mainoo was the hero as United won a five-goal thriller against their rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday, having stormed into an early two-goal lead before being pegged back.

Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko struck in the first 14 minutes, but at the start of the second half, goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo – the latter after a dismal error from Senne Lammens – got Liverpool level.

However, Mainoo ended his 718-day wait for a Premier League goal, having last scored against Newcastle United in May 2024, with a pinpoint finish into the bottom-left corner.

The result means United are assured of a top-five finish and a place in UEFA's premier club competition, while Liverpool still need a maximum of four points to join them.

The win capped a remarkable transformation for United under Carrick, who returned for his second stint as interim head coach after Ruben Amorim's departure in January.

Across his two spells in charge of United, Carrick has won eight of his nine home matches as a Premier League manager (L1), becoming the first English boss to do so and the first in general since Antonio Conte (also 8/9 with Chelsea in 2016-17).

Asked if Carrick had been the driving force, Mainoo told Sky Sports: "It's clearly a huge part. The confidence he has, not just in me, but all the players. 

"You want to follow him and fight for him. That's what we showed.

"To turn it around the way we have done, it's a credit to the players and the manager. We are just looking forward and still need to finish the season strongly. 

"We want to just keep on winning and winning. 

8 - Michael Carrick is only the sixth manager – and first English manager – to win 8+ of his opening 9 home games in the @premierleague, and first since Antonio Conte in 2016-17 (also 8/9). Compelling. pic.twitter.com/O5fRyUxj9E

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2026

United have completed their first Premier League double over Liverpool since 2015-16, and it is only the second time the Reds have lost home and away to both Manchester clubs in the same league season, after doing so in 1912-13.

Liverpool are the first club Mainoo has scored more than once against for United, having also struck against the Reds in a 2-2 Premier League draw in April 2024.

The England international was frozen out by Carrick's predecessor Amorim, but throughout that challenging period, he remained convinced an opportunity would come his way.

"It was difficult, of course, any time you're not playing football," Mainoo reflected. 

"I just tried to look forward as much as possible, keep working hard and keep my head down to take things from it.  

"I've not been around the goals too much, but I'm happy to be around it in this game! It's such a special occasion and a special fixture."