Manchester United boss Michael Carrick believes Kobbie Mainoo has the quality and character to become a key player for the club after a frustrating spell during Ruben Amorim’s reign.

Mainoo started for the first time in the Premier League this season in the first game of Carrick’s interim spell as United dominated local rivals Manchester City in a 2-0 win.

The 20-year-old shot to prominence in the 2023/24 season under Erik ten Hag, scoring as United beat City in the FA Cup final and playing a starring role in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.

However, he struggled for game time during Amorim’s ill-fated 14-month spell as the Portuguese coach defied calls to play Mainoo alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes.

“This club needs young players coming through and being the foundation for what it means, not just for the players or the squad, but for the club and for the supporters,” said Carrick at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

“I think that is something that we need to grasp, and we need to keep building on.

“Kobbie is a prime example. To come through so quickly and have the rapid rise, to play in some unbelievably big games and impact those big games at such a young age shows an awful lot of quality and in the terms of the character and to be able to handle it.

“Part of a career is a few ups and downs and sometimes it goes in different trajectories. But I think we’ve seen last week what Kobbie can bring.”

Victory over City lifted fifth-placed United to within one point of the Premier League’s top four.

The mood around Old Trafford was also transformed by the positive performance, and Carrick is hoping it can be the foundation towards a positive end to the season as United aim to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years.

“It was a big result, big performance and a big uplift with the feeling inside the stadium,” added Carrick.

“It’s getting that balance between taking the encouragement and the confidence from the game and keeping level-headed and our feet on the ground.

“One game doesn’t make you a great team, but it gives us a great foundation to build so there’s a lot of confidence.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot admits he’s delighted with their current run of form.

While the Reds were held at home by Burnley to a draw last Saturday, they were outstanding for the midweek Champions League win at Marseille.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, Slot said: “I’m very confident. We are in a very good place. But sometimes in football you can pick up injuries from nowhere.

“I didn’t expect not to have (Giovanni) Leoni, (Alexander) Isak and (Conor) Bradley not available for such a long time.

“We have shown if we have players fit we are very competitive against any time. There is a lot of confidence from me looking to the future.”

On what he expects from the Cherries at Dean Court, Slot says his counterpart Andoni Iraola has Bournemouth playing in a similar way to Liverpool.

He continued: “Not too different in terms of playing style. They might miss a few players now through injuries and (Antoine) Semenyo went to City. We didn’t have (Ryan) Gravenberch first game of season but not too different in how we will line-up and way we both want to play.

“Bournemouth one of most intense teams in the league. Near top of running stats. You know you have to be intense if you go there yourself. We’re the only team in the Champions League who has only two days rest this week, not the first time this season. But we’ve shown we are able to do so.

“Going there last season was an important game on way to winning the league.”

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said on Thursday that African fraternity would prevail after what he described as “deplorable” acts ​that marred the closing minutes of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco ‌and Senegal.

Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in ‌protest at a VAR-awarded penalty before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time on Sunday.

Groups of Senegalese fans clashed ⁠with Moroccan security as they tried to enter ‌the pitch following the penalty decision.

Senegal has long been ​one of Morocco’s closest allies in Africa, where Moroccan firms and banks have expanded investments in recent years, strengthening the kingdom’s diplomatic influence.

Hours after the final, social ‌media in both countries was under the spell of tension.

The final had been marred by “regrettable incidents” and “deplorable behaviour,” the king said ⁠in a palace statement.

“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter‑African fraternity will naturally prevail,” he said.

“Nothing can undermine the close ties forged over the centuries between our African peoples, nor the fruitful cooperation built with countries across the continent and strengthened by increasingly ambitious partnerships,” he added.

The tournament had also showcased Morocco’s development ⁠and represented “a success for all of Africa,” ‌he said.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it would take “appropriate action” after reviewing the match incidents, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the behaviour of ⁠Senegal’s players and members of the ​coaching staff.