Kobbie Mainoo was outstanding for Man Utd in their win at Chelsea and Michael Carrick was delighted with his return from injury.
Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo edged his battle with Cole Palmer in United's win against Chelsea
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Michael Carrick praised Kobbie Mainoo's performance in Manchester United's win against Chelsea and said it was the best the academy graduate had played in his dozen games in charge.
Mainoo only trained briefly on Thursday and Friday before being thrown back into the side at Stamford Bridge, but he produced an outstanding display, particularly without the ball.
Carrick felt the 20-year-old showed both sides to his game in the 1-0 win and praised him for the composure he showed, while his duel with fellow Manchester-born youngster Cole Palmer was one of the game's key battles.
"I thought that was the best Kobbie has played, certainly since I've been back here. To step up and put so many phases to his game or sides to his game tonight," said Carrick.
"I thought he looked so composed, so calm, had a really good presence about him, defended well. Not easy when you've got really good players in and around you and it was a good battle between him and Cole Palmer.
"So we had to be right at it tonight, but Kobbie just showed so much quality and composure in a tough environment, really, in the end. Showed us what he can do."
Mainoo had started Carrick's first 10 games in charge, but he missed Monday's defeat to Leeds with a minor injury and wasn't able to complete a full training session before being thrown back into the side against Chelsea.
"Kobbie didn't train an awful lot, really. He only did a little, really, a little bit on Thursday and a little bit more yesterday, so it wasn't an awful lot, so again credit to him for stepping in into that one," added Carrick.