While it was Bruno Fernandes who left Stamford Bridge with yet another Player of the Match award to take home, Kobbie Mainoo was undoubtedly in contention to beat him to it.
In fact, Michael Carrick hailed Mainoo’s showing post-match as ‘the best Kobbie has played since I have been here’.
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The midfielder’s statistics certainly back it up, too.
As per StatmanDave, Mainoo recorded a 100 per cent final-third passing accuracy and 95 per cent passing accuracy overall.
He had 68 touches in total, and registered 21 carries, five ball recoveries, three interceptions and two tackles – a near 10/10 display to say he was vying until the very last hours before kick-off to ensure he was deemed match-fit.
Mainoo, who turned 21 on Sunday, had missed out against Leeds United due to a minor injury, but trained in the latter stages of the week in hopes of returning at the earliest opportunity to face Chelsea.
Considering how poorly his replacement, Manuel Ugarte, fared in his absence, it came as a major boost when it was revealed ahead of the clash that the England international had been cleared to start.
Any week now, it’s expected that Mainoo will finally put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him at Manchester United until 2031.
He has been in talks for several months now regarding his future, but the club’s efforts to tie him down to a long-term contract intensified after he was restored to the squad when Carrick took the reins, and it again became evident just how special a talent he is.
Mainoo’s efforts are also poised to see him make Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer, having been recalled to the England setup in March for the first time since September 2024. He now has 12 caps to his name.
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