Manchester United midfielder ‘way ahead of his time’ hailed after ‘unbelievable’ performance

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo shone in the draw with Liverpool by putting in another strong performance on Merseyside.

Just under a month ago Kobbie Mainoo made his first Premier League start for Manchester United in a win over Everton, and was excellent.

In a further sign of how far he has come, Mainoo was selected to start for Manchester United away at Liverpool.

Mainoo played 80 minutes in Manchester United’s 0-0 draw, with the Red Devils defying pre-match expectations to claim a point.

Kobbie Mainoo praised

Kobbie Mainoo was singled out for praise on MUTV by former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune.

Fortune said: “So much composure. Every time he got the ball he tried to find a United player. That’s what you want. From what I’ve seen he’s an unbelievable player.

“He hardly gives the ball away. It’s huge. Especially playing for Manchester United in that position. 18-years-old coming into the team, with the situation at the moment, the kid is just way ahead of his time. At the moment he’s one of our best players.

“He’s always on the half-turn, one of the hardest things to coach. He’s a natural receiving the ball. So calm for 18, unbelievable.”

Mainoo coped with the pressure

Kobbie Mainoo’s temperament shone throughout the game, which won’t have been a surprise. He was equally as composed and impressive in his performance away in the Galatasaray cauldron.

By comparison, Anfield was quiet, with Manchester United doing a job on the home side to quieten the crowd.

Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “The atmosphere was the worst I’ve seen at Anfield ever for a Liverpool-Manchester United game. I’ve always been complimentary of Liverpool fans but it’s the quietest crowd I’ve seen in this game.”

Mainoo and Manchester United can take this forward as a building block. The teenager was praised by supporters after the match.

Fortune is right that Mainoo is one of United’s best players right now, not just for the future. He will be used sparingly, due to his age, but this game showed he can be step up in the bigger matches when needed.