Wayne Rooney reserved special praise for Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder’s world-class display in the centre of the pitch on Saturday.

The youngster was deservedly brought back into the starting XI as Manchester United secured their first win of the campaign with a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town.

What did Rooney have to say about Mainoo?

Bruno Fernandes understandably took home the Player of the Match award and the match ball after scoring a hat-trick at full-time.

But Rooney was especially impressed by Mainoo’s all-round performance and said: “His decision-making, his calmness on the ball, his knowing when to just inject a little few yards of pace to get past a player… I thought he was a breath of fresh air.

“I thought [Youri] Tielemans did well alongside him, to be honest, but Mainoo was head and shoulders above everyone tonight.”

How Mainoo fared against Ipswich

The 21-year-old registered the highest number of defensive contributions (14) and completed the most dribbles (four) of any player against the newly-promoted Tractor Boys, according to Fotmob.

From his 68 touches during 80 minutes on the field, Mainoo also produced an outstanding eight line-breaking passes, six passes into the final third, and two accurate long balls.

His work without the ball included nine recoveries, three tackles and two interceptions.

It was Mainoo’s first start of the season, and such a performance will no doubt have strengthened his place in the side for the foreseeable future. It now remains to be seen which of Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Tielemans will partner the Carrington graduate most often in the coming weeks, with the latter presumably holding the edge because of his experience.

Next up for the Reds is an away trip to face Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have won one and drawn one of their opening two fixtures.