NBC Sports pundit spotted something ‘incredible’ Kobbie Mainoo did in second half, convinced him Man Utd wonderkid is special

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Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo is showing what he is all about and did not need long to do it.

Gary Neville said on Sky Sports when discussing Kobbie Mainoo, “You look at a player and you can judge him straight away, he looks class.”

Neville of course has the Manchester United connections from his playing days, and has heard all about the high hopes everybody at Carrington has for the young midfielder, and may even have watched some pre-season and academy games.

Others are learning about the emerging star, with the 18-year-old making his first Premier League start in Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Everton. Take Robbie Earle, who told CBS Sports he was staggered at watching Mainoo in action.

Kobbie Mainoo stars v Everton

Kobbie Mainoo was keen to get on the ball from the first minute, getting a few early touches, exchanging passes with teammates in defence and midfield. He helped United move the ball about effortlessly, showing great positional sense, and was comfortable with the physical side of the game.

Mainoo, 18, had his big moment with a defensive last gasp clearance, preventing an Everton equaliser in the first half. It changed the game.

But there was another less impactful moment, yet a telling one, which caught the eye in the second half before he was substituted on 71 minutes.

Earle hails Mainoo

Former Premier League player Robbie Earle told NBC Sports he was quite taken aback by Mainoo’s self-confidence.

Earle said: “He did something in the second half where he dropped between two centre-backs, the ball got worked back to him and he took a touch, stood on the ball, and he almost went to Everton, ‘come and get it’.

“[It’s] something you do when you are 27, 28, 29 when you are confident, in front of a big crowd.

“He waited, he looked around, he saw the pass wasn’t on, he baited Calvert-Lewin, then he passed the ball, did a little give and go, and that, regardless of ability, that mentality, 18 years of age is incredible.”

Manchester United fans saw Mainoo’s quality and confidence against top opposition when he outclassed Declan Rice in pre-season against Arsenal. It was ‘just pre-season’, but it wasn’t a mirage, Mainoo really was the best midfielder on the pitch that day.

It was the same against Everton. Mainoo was excellent from the first whistle, helping United to control the midfield, something which just hasn’t happened very often at all this season.