Manchester United fans dropped their clear-cut verdict on Kobbie Mainoo after his impact for Ruben Amorim’s men in the thrilling Europa League clash against Lyon on Thursday.
The Red Devils have now punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the Europa League after Manchester United defeated Lyon 5-4 in the second-leg tie.
United had been on the verge of being knocked out of the Europa League, but Ruben Amorim’s side rallied back after initially blowing their 2-0 advantage.
Manuel Ugarte put United in the lead in the 10th minute at Old Trafford before Diogo Dalot doubled the Red Devils’ advantage in first-half injury time.
However, Lyon climbed back into the contest after Corentin Tolisso scored in the 71st minute before Nicolas Tagliafico found the equaliser six minutes later.
Corentin Tolisso would be sent off for the Ligue 1 outfit before the end of regular playing time and the Europa League quarter-final tie went to extra time.
Lyon then stunned United in the first half of injury time after Rayan Cherki netted for his side before Alexandre Lacazette converted from the spot-kick at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes dispatched a United penalty only five minutes after Alexandre Lacazette’s spot-kick before Kobbie Mainoo found the crucial equaliser for his side.
Following Mainoo’s sensational strike and United and Lyon being on a 4-4 scoreline, Amorim’s men snatched the win in second-half injury time through Harry Maguire.
What Man Utd fans had to say about Kobbie Mainoo after Ruben Amorim’s side defeated Lyon at Old Trafford in the Europa League
Kobbie Mainoo climbed off the bench in the 87th minute after Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim withdrew striker Rasmus Hojlund on Thursday evening.
The 19-year-old United and England star showed his stunning class with his curling strike that beat Lyon shot-stopper Lucas Perri and kept the Red Devils in the tie.
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, felt that Mainoo showed his importance to the United first team with his impact against Lyon.
“Kobbie Mainoo was the catalyst, what a player,” one X user said.
Another posted: “Mainoo masterclass! What a thriller, the scenes are wild.”
“I cannot believe people don’t rate Mainoo,” a third United fan wrote.
Somebody else tweeted: “Mainoo is an asset, the earlier United know, the better.”
“That was nuts Mainoo composure at end was ridiculous,” a fifth claimed.
While a sixth Red Devils supporter suggested: “Mainoo needs to be in this team. Absolute balls of steel. He’s amazing.”
Somebody else commented: “Kobbie Mainoo is so, so special man, that touch and finish in that moment is unbelievable. What a player.”
And an eighth simply said: “Kobbie Mainoo’s touch in the danger zone. I rate him like mad. FULL TRUST [sic].”
Harry Maguire spoke out after Man Utd staged a dramatic comeback win vs Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals at Old Trafford
Speaking after United’s thrilling Europa League clash against Lyon, Harry Maguire said that the Red Devils made the win more difficult for themselves on Thursday.
“Obviously it’s an incredible game, we made really hard work of it,” he told TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport.
“We had full control in the second half, had chances to score a third, then they scored out of nowhere. It put us on the back foot.
“To go down 4-2 in extra-time to 10 men is not good enough, we opened ourselves [up] too much. But we dug in and showed great spirit, that’s what this stadium does.”
United will now face La Liga club Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Europa League after the Spanish side knocked Rangers out of the competition.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
