Kobbie Mainoo‘s impressive cameo off the bench against Reading caught fellow Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho‘s eye.
The 17-year-old replaced United’s star man Casemiro with 17 minutes remaining of the FA Cup forth-round clash at Old Trafford.
Mainoo’s run out against the Royals was the midfielder’s second appearance for the Red Devils first team having started last month’s 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against League One side Charlton Athletic at the Theatre of Dreams.
The teenager completed all 25 of his attempted passes against Paul Ince’s side, and it was yet another invaluable taste of senior football for the Stockport-born youngster.
Kobbie Mainoo’s cameo against Reading impressed Alejandro Garnacho
The Manchester United Academy graduate will be hoping for further minutes in Erik ten Hag’s first team in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Following United’s 3-0 lead against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground in the first leg, the former Ajax manager has the opportunity to ring the changes against Steve Cooper’s.
With Donny van de Beek out for the long-term and Scott McTominay missing the win against Ince’s Reading, Ten Hag’s issues in midfield were compounded by the fact Christian Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches after being scythed down by Andy Carroll.
As it stands, Brazilian duo Fred and Casemiro are Ten Hag’s only two senior midfield options that have a clean bill of health.
If Eriksen is to face a period on the sidelines, an opportunity could beckon for the likes of Mainoo and Zidane Iqbal to feature under the three-time Eredivisie winner.
One man who was impressed with Mainoo’s display against the Championship outfit was fellow FA Youth Cup winner Garnacho.
The former Atletico Madrid replied to the England Under-18 international’s Instagram post with the comment: “What a player”.
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