Manchester United fans instantly reacted to the performance of Kobbie Mainoo after he made his first Premier League start of the season against Manchester City.
Kobbie Mainoo lost his place in the Manchester United starting XI in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford during the reign of Ruben Amorim.
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Ahead of Man Utd’s 2-0 win against Manchester City, the 20-year-old Stockport-born midfielder’s 12 Premier League appearances this season had come from the bench.
Mainoo missed the tail end of Ruben Amorim’s United managerial reign before the 40-year-old former Sporting CP head coach was sacked by the Red Devils last week.
The United midfielder missed four Premier League matches in a row before returning after Amorim’s sacking at Man Utd and during Darren Fletcher’s caretaker spell.
Man Utd fans’ reaction to Kobbie Mainoo’s role under Michael Carrick against Man City says it all
Kobbie Mainoo finally returned to the Red Devils starting XI and was partnered alongside Casemiro in Michael Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 formation set-up on Saturday.
Manchester United fans in United In Focus’ TalkingPoints were left in complete awe at the showing of Mainoo in his midfield role in the Manchester derby encounter.
One Red Devils supporter wrote: “Absolutely fantastic performance. Why on earth hasn’t he been playing???”
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Another added: “He had a great match. Thought he was certain to come off around the 70th minute, as he looked tired and lethargic. The young lad just kept running.”
A third Man Utd fan suggested: “Would love to see his running stats. He must have covered at least 13[km], 14km there.”
Someone else said: “[He was an] 8/10. Clear to see Casemiro and Mainoo are the midfield duo we’ve needed. Bruno is clearly so much more effective in the [No] 10 as well.”
While a fifth wrote: “Could not agree more. Bruno needs that space in a forward position, whilst Kobbie and Casemiro work together.”
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is slowly coming back into his own after a turbulent period at Man Utd
Mainoo was able to complete the full 90 minutes for the Red Devils in United’s stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford over the weekend.
The England midfielder had been getting phased back into the United first-team squad after his return from an injury setback under Darren Fletcher.
Mainoo overcame his injury and returned in a second-half cameo in Man Utd’s 2-2 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor before starting the FA Cup defeat against Brighton.
However, Michael Carrick rolled the dice with Mainoo by starting him against City in Saturday’s Manchester derby and the midfielder produced a solid showing overall.
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