MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United during the P
Man United were beaten by Man City despite playing against 10 men for 67 minutes
Manchester United are already under pressure following a lacklustre opening to the campaign, made worse by a disappointing 1-0 derby defeat to 10-men Manchester City on Sunday. The loss represents United's second setback of the season, after their opening day 2-0 embarrassment against newly-promoted Hull City. The weekend encounter was mired in controversy after Erling Haaland converted Josko Gvardiol's cross from close range, just as Enzo Fernandez launched himself into a diving header attempt.
While initially chalked off on the pitch for offside against Haaland, VAR reversed the decision - ruling that Fernandez hadn't interfered with play and that Patrick Dorgu had played Haaland onside. The controversy only escalated after the final whistle when Pro Ref acknowledged the decision was an "error of judgment" and the goal should have been disallowed. But one player has been praised despite the defeat.
Kobbie Mainoo's performance at Old Trafford was one of the few positives Michael Carrick could take from the match. The England star came within inches of opening his account for the season after striking the post with a long-range effort.
The 21-year-old led his side's statistics across touches, completed passes, defensive actions and chances created. His impressive display caught the eye of Manchester City's Elliot Anderson, who was full of praise for his international team-mate, describing him as a "top player".
When asked about coming up against Mainoo, the £116million man said: "It was great. It was a good battle. He's a top, top player, you know, and it's always tough playing against Kobbie, but yeah, he's a real good player and a real nice guy."
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Manchester United legend Jaap Stam made no attempt to hide his frustration at the failure of Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes to track back during Sunday's defeat.
The Dutch great held the attacking quartet responsible for a lack of defensive effort in the build-up to Haaland's decisive winner.
The former defender said: "It's a long ball, they win it, City takes over and look at the front four [of United]. They're just walking, they're just looking at the situation. A team that really wants to win, the strikers, it's about all the 11, it's about chasing.
"Against ten men, it's about tracking back, it's about winning battles. From then on, you keep possession, you go out in transition and then you try to create and score goals."