Phil Foden’s red card in the Manchester derby turned out to be a major positive for Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Enzo Maresca was left shocked in the Old Trafford dugout after Premier League referee Michael Oliver sent Phil Foden off for lashing out at Bruno Fernandes.
Foden went straight down the Old Trafford tunnel in the first half, as 10-man Manchester City were left to face an uphill battle against Manchester United.
Outside of the controversy surrounding the 26-year-old City midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo’s playing time for United allowed him to send the biggest message of all.
England boss Thomas Tuchel was able to ‘ignore’ Phil Foden and focus on Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo instead
During Sky Sports’ coverage of Manchester United against Manchester City, an early commentary line pointed to the importance of Thomas Tuchel being in attendance.
It was suggested that Phil Foden had the chance to ‘send a message’ to Thomas Tuchel after he was snubbed from England’s World Cup squad in the summer.
Tuchel was seated in the directors’ box and the England manager received a wonderful view of City midfielder Foden blowing his chance to impress him.
However, Foden’s loss came to the benefit of Kobbie Mainoo, who showed why Tuchel must put him in contention for minutes for the upcoming October break.
Mainoo was called up for his first World Cup under Tuchel, but the 21-year-old United midfielder had a disappointing time after not playing a single minute.
The Stockport-born talent had a resurgence in form under Michael Carrick last season, which subsequently led to his place back in the England squad in March.
Mainoo left the World Cup with a bronze medal after the Three Lions’ third-place finish, but he returned to pre-season with a minor injury from the competition.
Tuchel cannot continue to ignore the value that the United youth academy product will bring to the table for the England midfield after Foden’s hot-headed sending-off.
Mainoo has already shown that he is continuing to play his best football under Michael Carrick, including during the Man Utd and Manchester City match.
The Three Lions international was denied the opener early in the second half after his stunning long-range strike ricocheted off the post of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net.
Unfortunately for Mainoo, his hardworking performance in front of Tuchel was overshadowed by United’s disappointing 1-0 Premier League defeat to Man City.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/cPgw3WL