Mainoo dubbed ‘best player on the pitch’ v Fulham

In an absolute snoozefest of a first half between Manchester United and Fulham, Kobbie Mainoo was still trying to pull the strings in the middle of the park.

The youngster unsurprisingly retained his starting spot following his showing in the Manchester derby defeat last week, where he was perhaps the only United player who could hold his head high at full-time.

How Mainoo fared in first half at Craven Cottage

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United passes the ball under pressure from Sander Berge of Fulham during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. — ***(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)***

Michael Carrick will be hoping that isn’t the case at full-time today, but the team must pull their fingers out if they are to take anything from the clash.

StatmanDave shared at the interval that Mainoo had recorded a whopping nine defensive contributions in the first 45 minutes, and subsequently hailed him as ‘the best player on the pitch’.

Kobbie Mainoo made more defensive contributions in the first half vs. Fulham (9) than any other player on the pitch.

Best player on the pitch. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/eIMoNvc8S6

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 20, 2026

The midfielder’s stellar efforts since the campaign got underway have seen him earn an England call-up for the upcoming international break, which will commence following the conclusion of matchweek five.

Mainoo to feature for England over international break

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United runs with the ball under pressure from Iliman Ndiaye of Manchester City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) — ***(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)***

After not featuring even once throughout the World Cup, Mainoo will be hoping his time isn’t wasted this time around, and that he can add to his 14 senior caps in England’s Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia and Czechia.

“I expect him to be on the pitch. It’s my duty,” Thomas Tuchel said of Mainoo “He didn’t put a foot wrong in the World Cup. That was totally on me.

“He was class in behaviour and on the training pitch. It was a big competition. But it’s my responsibility.”

🗣️ "That was totally on me, he didn't put a foot wrong at the World Cup"

Thomas Tuchel believes it's his duty to play Kobbie Mainoo in England's upcoming games after not giving the 21-year-old any minutes at the World Cup 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#ITVFootball | @England pic.twitter.com/HCBvMwkhHf

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 18, 2026

Then, when United return to action, fixtures will be coming thick and fast in all competitions.

They host winless Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 10 before travelling to the Metropolitano to take on Atletico Madrid in their second Champions League group-phase match on October 13.