Kobbie Mainoo performed brilliantly in a Manchester United shirt in a friendly against Arsenal 2-0 in the US. This “crown jewel” proved exactly why Erik ten Hag continued to start him ahead of the new season.
Manchester United fans are raving about a “crown jewel”, prodigy Kobbie Mainoo after his stellar display against Arsenal. Erik ten Hag has decided to award the 18-year-old Carrington youth academy star his third consecutive start in pre-season, following Mainoo’s fine performances in previous clashes with Leeds and Lyon.
Mainoo certainly made the most of his 45 minutes against Arsenal. It was Mainoo who created the new MU captain Bruno Fernandes to score the opening goal in Manchester’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal’s gunners at Metlife Stadium, New Jersey (USA).
The player born in Stockport is in the center of the MU midfield. Mainoo controlled the ball after a kick by goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Mainoo then assisted Bruno Fernandes with a sharp and dangerous finish with his left foot to knock out goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to open the score 1-0 for MU after half an hour of play.
Mainoo’s performance caused a wave of excitement in the MU fan community. Fans took to social networks to give the 18-year-old midfielder endless praise.
“Kobbie Mainoo is a gem,” declared one MU fan. A second added, “Mainoo doesn’t look out of place at all. He can play deep to help build play. There’s so much composure and great sense for such a young player.”
Another continued by saying: “Mainoo has been absolutely brilliant at his job. He’s very good and it’s amazing to see such composure from an 18-year-old entering the MU first team.” The fourth person made a bold comparison: “Delan Rice must be enjoying learning how to play CDM by watching Kobbie Mainoo play”.
Mainoo, who has made three appearances in the MU first team, including one starting last season, is clearly creating good faith with head coach Erik Ten Hag. The Dutchman is so impressed with the teenager that he doesn’t want to push him to another team on loan next season.
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, is among many young MU players joining Erik Ten Hag’s first-team squad during a tour of the US before the new season. Goalkeepers Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek, left-back Alvaro Fernandez, midfielders Dan Gore and Hannibal Mejbri and striker Omari Forson will all want to emulate Mainoo by impressing both manager Erik Ten Hag and the millions of Old Trafford fans.
