Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo played his part in the team securing a deserved 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Kobbie Mainoo showed what a big player he is for Manchester United in the team’s recent performance against Newcastle, when he changed the game after coming off the bench.
Unsurprisingly, Mainoo was back in the starting line-up to face Liverpool, and played a part in the Red Devils winning the midfield battle for large parts of the game, rendering Curtis Jones largely anonymous.
Against Liverpool Mainoo was a class act, demonstrating why he is one of the most exciting talents in world football.
Kobbie Mainoo praised
Kobbie Mainoo was tenacious and aggressive, playing with a determination to win every challenge and be first to every ball.
Early in the game he was treated by medical staff after receiving an accidental kick to the head from a clumsy Ryan Gravenberch; it did not slow him down.
Speaking to MUTV, Ben Thornley praised Mainoo’s first 45 minutes, commenting: “He’s been stellar in that first 45 absolutely superb, and probably by his own admittance, he isn’t having the season that we wanted him to have so far.
“But from the very first involvement that he had when he went in and injured himself, when he got a knock to the head, he set the tone for the way Manchester United have gone about this half of football.
“Yes, Liverpool may have had one or two chances, but on the whole, the way United have defended, the way he carried the ball, the way he’s played and got them into the final third.”
We have seen United players go off for an injury with less. Mainoo is made of sterner stuff, he made clear he’s a battler, and wanted to fight on.
Manchester United carried on playing at a high level for all 90 minutes, earning a 2-2 draw and could have won it in stoppage time.
David May added post-game, “Ugarte has been absolutely outstanding, and Kobbie has been absolutely brilliant.
“It was a great performance from the boys, they deserved something from the game.”
Kobbie Mainoo numbers vs Liverpool
Kobbie Mainoo played 72 minutes before Ruben Amorim made a tactical shift to bring off the midfielder and throw Alejandro Garnacho on, who ended up providing the assist for the equaliser.
Mainoo, 19, had 44 touches in total, making five ball recoveries, and winning six duels. He completed 22 of 29 passes.
The teenager has now played two games at Anfield, and he’s never lost, with United drawing 0-0 away last season.
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