Stuart Pearce has piled praise on an 'under the radar' Man United star after their 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Michael Carrick extended United's impressive winning streak to four consecutive Premier League victories as his side cruised past ten-man Spurs in torrential rain.
Michael-Carrick
Bryan Mbeumo fired United ahead seven minutes before half-time following a cleverly-worked corner routine that created space for the Cameroonian international to unleash his finish beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
But the defining moment arrived earlier when Tottenham captain Cristian Romero received his marching orders inside the opening thirty minutes.
Referee Michael Oliver showed the Argentine a straight red card, leaving Thomas Frank's injury-ravaged side facing an uphill battle with a man disadvantage for over an hour.
The sending-off proved particularly symbolic, coming just days after Romero's explosive Instagram outburst criticising Tottenham's hierarchy for failing to adequately strengthen during January's transfer window.
cristian-romero-spurs (4)
The defender branded the club's squad situation "disgraceful" after facing Man City with just eleven available players.
United dominated proceedings throughout the second period as the heavens opened above Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory with nine minutes remaining when the star midfielder controlled possession inside the penalty area before producing an improvised finish past Vicario.
The result lifts United onto 44 points as they tighten their grip on fourth.
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He has been sensational in the top flight
Carrick's side have discovered their rhythm at exactly the right moment, delivering successive wins that suggest genuine momentum building in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, Tottenham remain mired close to the relegation scrap on just 29 points after another deeply troubling afternoon.
Frank's beleaguered squad continue suffering from catastrophic injury problems that have decimated their campaign, with Romero's dismissal compounding their ongoing misery alongside Destiny Udogie's fresh blow.
For United, it is celebration time, with Pearce hailing their silent hero of the afternoon on commentary duty for talkSPORT.
Stuart Pearce hails Kobbie Mainoo after Man United win over Tottenham
Speaking to the broadcast giant, when asked to name his Player of the Match, Pearce admitted it was a tough call with many top performers on the day.
Kobbie-Mainoo-Man-Utd-Carrick
However, he gave a special nod to Kobbie Mainoo, who has been revitalised under Carrick after largely being dismissed by Ruben Amorim.
"He's offered United a little bit of stability, alongside Casemiro," Pearce said.
"Went under the radar, but he played his part in that victory."
The 20-year-old is believed to be in talks over a new deal, with many backing Mainoo to replace Fernandes long-term.
United are set to open discussions over a new salary for Mainoo that could be worth quadruple his current £25,000-per-week take-home.
Performances like today emphasise why that is now the case, with the United academy graduate now coming back into his own and resurrecting his career in Manchester.
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If Bruno Fernandes does depart, Man Utd could have an in-house replacement ready to go.