Mateo Kovacic once stunned fans by stripping down to his underwear after Chelsea's game against Manchester United

Mateo Kovacic once wasted absolutely no time in stripping off after his side's dramatic draw with Manchester United.

Chelsea were held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw by United at Stamford Bridge during their Premier League fixture in October 2022.

As the camera panned across the Stamford Bridge pitch at the end of the match, Chelsea midfielder Kovacic could be seen sprinting towards the tunnel having already changed out of his shirt and shorts.

The bizarre sight of the Croatia international sprinting across the pitch almost naked prompted Sky Sports pundit, former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, to joke on commentary: "He looks fit!"

Fans on social media also saw the funny side of Kovacic's unexpected appearance.

One fan posted on Twitter: "Was it just me who saw Kovacic run off the pitch in only his undies?"

"Kovacic going to a strip club," joked another.

No that is not a streaker, it's Mateo Kovacic at full-time 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4tDdxTQP3F

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 22, 2022

While a third posted: "What's Kovacic doing?", followed by the crying-laughing emoji.

Fans of Manchester City might have to get used to seeing the Croatian strutting around in his pants after reports emerged that the midfielder is on the verge of signing for the treble winners in a deal worth £25m+add ons.

While Chelsea are set for a huge clear-out, City are likely to use Kovacic as a replacement for the departing Ilkay Gundogan who will join Barcelona on a two-year deal.