On Thursday night, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo stamped his mark as one of the Premier League’s brightest talents. 

The Red Devils’ youngster scored a stunning late winner to earn his side a 4-3 victory over Wolves, providing a neat finish following a sensational solo run. 

The 18-year-old marked his ninth Premier League appearance since breaking into the Red Devils’ first-team squad with a goal as he, once again, showcased his immense talent. 

So, here, Mail Sport – with the help of Opta Stats Perform – takes a look at how the United youngster compares with his England peers and rival Under 21 stars. 

Kobbie Mainoo scored a stunning late winner for Man United during their trip to Wolves

The 18-year-old continued his meteoric rise as the Red Devils snatched a dramatic late win 

Firstly, it makes sense to look at how Mainoo fares against some of the other Under 21 talents in the English top-flight this season. 

And, given that the 18-year-old has made just nine Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, his per 90 statistics offer the best insight into his output for United. 

The England youngster, compared to other Under 21 players with a minimum of 500 minutes played, ranks fifth in successful passes made. 

Mainoo currently averages 36.29 successful passes per 90, with only Chelsea duo Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill and Brighton stars Carlos Baleba and Jack Hinshelwood producing more. 

Within that statistic, we can also see that the youngster boasts the third best passing accuracy, having completed 85.62 per cent of his attempted passes. Again, only Baleba and Gusto do better.  

In regard to his range of passing, the United starlet averages the highest number of through balls among his peers. 

The 18-year-old’s 0.29 through balls per game see him trump the likes of Chelsea’s Colwill and Newcastle’s Lewis Miley to claim top spot.  

He’s also second in the rankings for passes played into the final third, with only Colwill – who averages a staggering 7.2 per 90 – improving on Mainoo’s 4.14.

The youngster has made just nine appearances in the Premier League for United but has managed to become a key member of the side

Chelsea’s Malo Gusto (L) and Levi Colwill (R) are among the few Under 21 players in the Premier League to average more passes than the United star

Meanwhile, when looking at his defensive duties, Mainoo ranks fifth in most duels won per 90, thanks to his impressive rate of 5.57.

Only the aforementioned Baleba and Colwill – as well as Facundo Buonanotte and Alejandro Garnacho – surpass the United starlet’s tally. 

However, Mainoo manages to break into the top four ranking when analysing the most tackles won per 90 – averaging 1.29 tackles a match. 

The statistics clearly show that, compared to his Under 21 counterparts, Mainoo should be well regarded as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and exciting young stars. 

And, as he continues to impress for the Red Devils, there can’t be any escaping the calls for Mainoo to earn a senior England call-up. 

Given England’s lack of central midfield options ahead of this summer’s European Championships, Mainoo stands an outside chance of making Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Luckily, Opta Stats Perform have provided useful information which compares Mainoo’s first nine career games to the same for his England counterparts.

Mainoo’s defensive statistics are incredibly impressive in the early stages of his senior career 

Stats also compared Mainoo’s early professional career to some of his compatriots such as Jude Bellingham (L) and Declan Rice (R) 

Compared to Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Curtis Jones, Jude Bellingham and Lewis Miley, the Man United star comes out on top in a number of categories. 

Perhaps the most impressive statistic is his 261 successful passes made – which is better than any of the other Three Lions stars managed.   

Miley’s 217 successful passes, which came at the start of his Newcastle career, is the second-best tally in the rankings. 

Meanwhile, Mainoo’s nine tackles won – from his opening nine games – better all the attempts of his compatriots, with Miley’s eight coming closest.

His 39 duels won places him second on the list, with Gallagher’s 46 – which came during his spell at Charlton Athletic in 2019-20 – the only statistic better. 

While Mainoo is yet to pick up an assist and hasn’t created a big chance for United thus far, his one goal sees him equal the respective tallies of Jones and Miley. 

Meanwhile, Sofascore statistics show that Mainoo has the eighth-highest average rating for any Under 21 central midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues. 

Sofascore statistics show that Mainoo has the eighth highest average rating for any Under 21 central midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham tops the list with an outstanding rating of 8.08, given his impressive performances this year, while Mainoo’s rating is 6.90. 

Talents such as Xavi Simons, Gavi and Warren Zaire-Emery also stand above the United star but it’s understandable given their long-term presence in their respective teams.

Mainoo is expected to be rewarded with a new Man United contract at the end of the season, a year after the Stockport-born teenager signed his current contract.

His progress could also see Mainoo force his way into the England reckoning ahead of this summer’s European Championship.