Kobbie Mainoo produces moment of brilliance and inspires big U18s win

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Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo produced a moment of brilliance and spearheaded the under-18s’ 6-1 win against Blackburn Rovers yesterday.

Fresh after starting two of England Under-18s’ three wins during last month’s international break, the 17-year-old was at his influential best for Travis Binnion’s side.

Making his first appearance for the club’s under-18s this season, Mainoo looked a cut above and last season’s FA Youth Cup winner was seemingly a big miss in Mark Dempsey’s Under-21s side.

United’s Under-21s were on the receiving end of a 6-1 humiliation by Blackburn Rovers in Premier League 2 yesterday, and following his display at under-18s level, Mainoo will likely return to Dempsey’s side for our under-21s second game in this season’s EFL Trophy, which comes via a trip to Barrow on Tuesday night.

After beating League Two side Carlisle United, in what was Mainoo’s first competitive game against senior opposition, in our EFL Trophy opener, the Stockport-born midfielder will be hoping to impress against another Football League side.

Mainoo replaced Christian Eriksen during a behind-closed-doors first team friendly against Wrexham back in August, and he has trained with the first team at Carrington.

Kobbie Mainoo produces moment of brilliance

With United’s Under-18s leading Blackburn 1-0 in the clash played at Carrington yesterday, Mainoo played an influential role in the second goal.

After collecting a pass from Maxi Oyedele, United’s number six showed neat footwork to skip past three players like they weren’t there before driving forward on a powerful run and then crashing a long-range effort off the foot of the post.

Mani Norkett then showed neat footwork himself before smashing the ball into the top corner from inside the six-yard box.

But the goal came via the invention of Mainoo who took three Blackburn youngsters out of the game with his devastating quick feet.

Midfield maestro Mainoo also played a starring role in United’s third and Norkett’s second.

Showcasing his playmaking qualities and ability to carve open the opposition defence, Mainoo dinked an inch-perfect pass into the path of Finley McAllister who set up Norkett’s second.

With United in the ascendancy, Mainoo was brought off just after the hour mark following yet another standout performance from the teenager.

Manchester United look to have a real gem on their hands and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mainoo force his way into the first team under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag.