Manchester United fans have hailed Kobbie Mainoo for being “levels above everyone else in midfield” during the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
Mainoo has been a revelation for United fans and a breath of fresh air in an otherwise poor season, with the midfielder establishing himself in the first team.
The 18-year-old United starlet made his first start for the Red Devils in his side’s 3-0 win over Everton last month and impressed with his Premier League performance.
Mainoo, who has caught the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate, even showed his quality in United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in Turkey in the Champions League.
Mainoo’s return to United starting XI for Anfield trip
Despite showing early signs of brilliance this season, Mainoo has been rotated by United boss Erik ten Hag and not consistently started in the Red Devils’ starting XI.
Mainoo, who has been a shock target for United’s rivals, started in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park and was withdrawn before the full-time whistle.
Since the Premier League clash with the Magpies, the United starlet was an unused substitute in the 2-1 home win over Chelsea and 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
However, Mainoo did make a brief cameo for United after coming off the bench and replacing Raphael Varane in the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
When he was asked why Mainoo didn’t start for the Bayern match, Ten Hag said (via the Metro): “He is defensively very strong, he is very good in interceptions and in duels and I think you need that.
“But you need football as well and as you have seen with Kobbie against Everton, under big pressure, he was tremendous.
“In and out of possession, he needs the experience but also he is that mature already and can do the job so I have a lot of trust in him that he can do it otherwise I wouldn’t have played him against Everton [because] it was a difficult game for us.”
The England Under-19s international finally returned to the starting for the showdown with Liverpool and showed exactly what United were missing.
United fans’ reaction to Mainoo’s performance vs Liverpool
Mainoo slotted in the midfield for the Liverpool clash alongside Sofyan Amrabat, with Scott McTominay captaining United in the absence of suspended Bruno Fernandes.
United fans wasted no time in taking to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and praising Mainoo for “already [becoming] our best midfielder.”
“Kobbie Mainoo is 18 years old and already our best midfielder,” one fan said.
Someone else added: “Kobbie Mainoo is levels above everyone else in midfield today. Keep playing him.”
Another posted: “If only United had 3-4 [Kobbie Mainoos], they could’ve held possession a lot better.”
“Kobbie showing more composure than World Cup [Sofyan] Amrabat is really telling,” a fourth tweeted.
While one X user wrote: “That Kobbie Mainoo pass for the Garnacho chance. Wow.”
And a sixth commented: “Standout [United player] this season has been Kobbie Mainoo. Plays with a confidence beyond his level of experience.”
A seventh said: “Kobbie Mainoo is the only one in midfield right now showing any form of composure. The fact that he is only 18 and doing better is unforgivable.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/OtVohFz