Not Bruno or Casemiro: Ian Wright singles out tremendous Man Utd whiz who ‘really ran the game’ vs Spurs

Ian Wright has hailed Kobbie Mainoo as the player who “really ran the game” in Manchester United’s recent victory over Tottenham Hotspur, eclipsing the contributions of senior stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.

The 20-year-old midfielder, retained for a fourth straight match by interim boss Michael Carrick, had not made a single Premier League start under previous manager Ruben Amorim during the first half of the campaign. Carrick’s immediate faith in the academy graduate has already yielded tangible rewards: Mainoo covered more ground than any other player in United’s back-to-back wins over league leaders Arsenal and Manchester City, and he supplied the assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s opening goal against Spurs with a cleverly worked corner.

Beyond the decisive pass, Mainoo’s all-round display caught the eye. Data from Fotmob shows the Carrington graduate completed 10 final-third passes, two dribbles, one accurate cross and registered three touches inside Tottenham’s penalty area. Defensively, he contributed two tackles, one clearance, one headed clearance and four recoveries, while winning six ground duels and two aerial duels.

Speaking on the Wright’s House podcast, the former Arsenal striker praised the composure and authority of the youngster: “Kobbie Mainoo really ran the game. It’s the kind of performance you’d expect from a Man Utd side that has these players in and around them. Michael Carrick’s come in and given them the belief, the formation that they’re comfortable in and, with the quality players they’ve got, you will get the results.”

BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves echoed the sentiment, claiming he had “never seen Mainoo play a bad game for United,” adding that the Stockport-born talent plays “as if he’s having a kick-about with his mates.”

With Carrick at the helm, Mainoo’s seamless transition from peripheral squad member to midfield general has offered United supporters a rare glimmer of optimism, and his commanding showing against Spurs suggests the best is yet to come.