“Nobody has done that ever since Paul Pogba left the Premier League. Not even Kelvin De Bruyen and Bruno Fernandes. But the young 18 years old boy broke the record effortlessly in one match. This shows how ionic his career will be”-Kobbie Mainoo becomes first Man Utd player since Paul Pogba to produce stunning record vs Luton

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo showcased his talent with a stellar performance in his team’s 2-1 victory over Luton on Sunday, mirroring the footsteps of Paul Pogba in the process.

Mainoo stood out as one of the standout performers during a frenetic encounter at Kenilworth Road.Rasmus Hojlund wasted no time, opening the scoring for United just 46 seconds into the game, marking his sixth consecutive appearance with a goal in all competitions.

The Danish midfielder doubled his tally seven minutes later, putting Erik ten Hag’s side on course for their fourth consecutive Premier League win.However, Luton fought back, and despite Carlton Morris pulling one back in the 14th minute, United struggled to maintain control, facing relentless pressure from Rob Edwards’ side.

Despite Luton’s efforts, including 22 shots on Andre Onana’s goal and dominating possession with 58 percent over 90 minutes, they failed to find an equalizer, securing a crucial victory for United.While Ten Hag’s team faced criticism from supporters, Mainoo’s composed performance stood out, placing him in esteemed company alongside Paul Pogba in a particular statistic.

Kobbie Mainoo completed six dribbles against Luton, this was the most by any Man United player in a Premier League game since Paul Pogba (7) in April 2022 ⚡️

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 😉 pic.twitter.com/BuXYajDB5M

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024

The 18-year-old completed six dribbles against Luton, just one fewer than Pogba managed in a game in April 2022, making them the two United players with the most dribbles in a single match since then.

According to WhoScored, the closest United player to Mainoo’s dribbling tally against Luton was Diogo Dalot with two, while Luton’s Ross Barkley completed five dribbles.Mainoo’s impressive displays at the club level have sparked discussions about a potential call-up to the England squad for Euro 2024. However, he is also eligible to represent Ghana, having previously represented England at various youth levels.

According to the Daily Mail, Mainoo will defer making a formal decision about his international future until he is “in contention for competitive senior caps,” presenting Gareth Southgate with an opportunity to persuade the midfielder that his international allegiance lies with England.