Bruno Fernandes' undroppable status is transferable to Man Utd teammate – opinion

Bruno Fernandes’ untouchable status could easily become associated with another first-team Manchester United star under manager Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old Manchester United captain’s own status in the squad came into question in recent weeks after his bombshell criticism of Michael Carrick’s tactics.

Despite being dropped for Man Utd’s 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth, Bruno Fernandes was brought back into the starting XI against Chelsea and Roma.

While Fernandes has often been seen as ‘Mr Man Utd’ himself, the same could be said about Kobbie Mainoo’s influence in the United first-team squad at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Peter and Kasper Schmeichel both pinpoint Man Utd catalyst vs Roma

Kobbie Mainoo’s performance against Roma proved that he is rising to Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd status

Kobbie Mainoo returned for Manchester United in the Chelsea match last week after a four-match absence due to injury. The 21-year-old Stockport-born midfielder came off the bench in United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday ahead of the Roma match.

The England international was back in the starting XI for United’s 3-2 comeback against Roma and Mainoo’s presence on the ball and off it was undeniable. During Bruno Fernandes’ altercation with Matias Soule in the first half, Mainoo was spotted trying to pull the United skipper out of the altercation.

While Mainoo is not part of the first-team squad’s senior leadership in the same way as Harry Maguire, the Three Lions midfielder’s emotional maturity and responsibility as a key player are blossoming. Just when it seemed that Fernandes could easily escalate from a yellow card to a red card during a fiery incident, players like Mainoo kept their cool during the situation.

READ MORE: Five important reactions to Michael Carrick’s Man Utd impact in Roma win, including from Wayne Rooney

Mainoo played the full 90 minutes against Roma and his inclusion in the midfield pivot was critical. The United youth academy product proved that one of the two roles in the Man Utd midfield under Michael Carrick is rightfully his position. The other one can be a fighting competition between Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.

As per Statman Dave on X, formerly known as Twitter, Kobbie Mainoo’s Champions League stats across the 90 minutes of Man Utd’s 3-2 win over Roma at Old Trafford:

• Touches: 97
• Pass accuracy: 84 per cent
• Passes into the final third: 15
• Ball recoveries: 12
• Line-breaking passes: 7
• Attempted take-ons: 4
• Successful take-ons: 3
• Progressive carries: 3
• Tackles: 3

Mainoo was pragmatic with his midfield approach in United’s encounter with Roma in the Champions League clash on Tuesday evening. When Carlos Baleba was lost to injury early in the second half, Mainoo was unfazed about striking up another convincing partnership with Youri Tielemans in the second half.

The United midfielder was trying to make things click from the midfield when the Red Devils were trailing Roma, including being in close control of the ball and becoming press-evasive. Mainoo was able to draw in clusters of Roma defenders during Tuesday’s match and would carefully wait for the right opportunity to spark Man Utd’s attack from the midfield.

Fernandes turned 32 in September and his current deal with Man Utd expires next summer. Mainoo, on the other hand, turns 22 next April and is under contract until 2031 after he inked a new long-term deal last season. Not only is Mainoo shaping the present and future of the Man Utd midfield, but he also represents a future Fernandes-esque figure in terms of senior leadership status.