Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 in the derby on Sunday, but Kobbie Mainoo can hold his head high despite defeat.
There won’t be a single happy player for Manchester United after a scandalous decision handed Manchester City a 1-0 win in the derby at Old Trafford, but as far as performances go, Kobbie Mainoo can be happy.
Mainoo was United’s standout performer, continuing his impressive campaign alongside Youri Tielemans as they dominated the game for large periods. The display by Mainoo proves a point worth £241m to Ineos.
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-MAN CITY
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo was the best midfielder on the pitch
During the summer, while City forked out a massive £241m on Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez, with another £86m (just the £327m in total), I wrote about how Mainoo is better than them all, and this season he has been proving this correct.
Mainoo has been excellent for United, and he was again in the derby despite the VAR-inflicted defeat casting a shadow over his performance.
On the pitch with £241m worth of midfield opposition, Mainoo was by far the best player, with Youri Tielemans also running the City pair close.
Mainoo dictated play and made City’s mega-money midfielders look amateur with his excellence, as his numbers from the game demonstrate.
Stat vs City Mainoo
Touches 83
Dribbles completed 3/3
Progressive carries 10
Key passes 3
Accurate passes 65/67
Duels won 4/8
Recoveries 9
Interceptions 2
Mainoo has become incredibly well-rounded this season for United, and this performance highlights this fact.
He can defend, attack, and his passing this season is on a completely new level, to a level that it has never been before.
United’s academy graduate proved he is one of the best in the league and that Ineos didn’t need to spend £100m on a midfielder, because Mainoo is already in that marquee role for the club; instead, it was better to build around him.
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Manchester United owe Mainoo more
On this current trajectory, Mainoo is going to be widely viewed as the best midfielder in the world by the end of the season, and in this case, United owes him better.
Mainoo should be competing for the biggest trophies, and whether that will happen under Carrick or not, United needs to be looking to give the 21-year-old the club that can achieve his goals.
United have the midfield and attack to mount serious challenges, with the defence remaining an issue, while current indications are that the coaching and tactics aren’t up to scratch.
Mainoo loves the club and won’t leave, but United shouldn’t take this for granted. Be ruthless and do whatever it takes to be successful, because we have the players – mostly – to do so.