Rio Ferdinand believes Sofyan Amrabat has lost his place to Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has made heads turn across the Premier League after a brilliant first start in the competition for Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag was forced to start Kobbie Mainoo as Manchester United’s deepest midfielder against Everton after injuries to Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen left him with little choice.

Mainoo excelled in his role, taking the spotlight place alongside Alejandro Garnacho for post-match analysis with his calm, collected, and “composed” performance in a red shirt.

“I don’t know how they gave the Man of the Match [award] elsewhere,” former United defender Rio Ferdinand said on Vibe With Five in relation to Mainoo’s display.

“18 years old, especially in centre midfield, very rarely do you see a composed performance like that. Away from home it’s crash, bang, wallop at Everton at Goodison [Park] under the circumstances they went there.

“The way he was dropping in between the centre-backs, not even getting it and bopping it one or two touch, he was getting it, taking touches, drifting by people or away from people, away from the challenge and the press, and then releasing it.

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“That’s what these centre-backs and goalkeeper have been waiting for – someone who can alleviate that pressure and beat that press.

“I thought about it the other day, 18-year-olds coming into the first team in the Premier League who gave performances like that… [Cesc] Fabregas? I’m not saying he [Mainoo] is as good as these guys, there have been more explosive but I’m talking about composure. This was a crazy performance.”

Ferdinand was then asked if Mainoo has now earned the right to start over recently signed Sofyan Amrabat, with Ferdinand replying: “At the moment, yeah.”

Ferdinand added: “Fundamentals, he [Mainoo] does the fundamentals well. But listen, it’s one game, let’s not go too overboard, we need to see this consistently.”