Kobbie Mainoo was brilliant again for Manchester United in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool, answering plenty of questions asked pre-game.
Manchester United beating Liverpool was more complicated than it should have been, after a 2-0 first-half lead was thrown away.
This was before Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner, sending the Stretford End into celebration as the 21-year-old emphatically responded to pre-game Roy Keane doubts.
“I’m not convinced yet. He has talent, and he’s still young, but I think he needs to do even more”, Keane explained on Sky Sports. On the pitch, he was more than silenced.
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Rio Ferdinand reacts to Kobbie Mainoo’s performance
Keane backtracked on his comments after the game, praising Mainoo, and Rio Ferdinand has now defended the 21-year-old, explaining he more than answered the question.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand stated that Mainoo answered the question from Keane and then some.
“If Roy Keane asked questions of a young midfielder at the club, the young midfielder has got to answer. I get it, and he has today. Kobbie Mainoo has answered. He could even ask Roy, ‘Roy, where were you at my age? You were at Nottingham Forest, you weren’t at Old Trafford having to run things on your own.’
“‘While Casemiro’s vacating and flying in like a number nine up there while I’m on my own’.”
Ferdinand is spot on, with Mainoo’s performance being a standout for United despite the chaos at times around him, with the midfield being carved open as Casemiro took up striker positions and wasn’t able to track back.
Mainoo answering questions from Keane isn’t something he has to do, given the Irishman is often seen to be negative and largely ignored, but silencing him is excellent from the young midfielder.
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Marcus Rashford praises Mainoo after Manchester United win
Mainoo’s performance was hailed by many, and the praise continued in Mainoo’s Instagram comments.
Among the repliers was Marcus Rashford, as he acknowledged Mainoo with a GIF that showed someone pointing at the camera. Which, from Mainoo’s point of view, would be seen as meaning, “you, you, you”, giving the midfielder his flowers.
Rashford also replied to Bruno Fernandes, writing, “Congratulations brother”, with a heart emoji.
Clearly, the loanee likes what he sees going on at United, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he were beginning to plant seeds for his return with Barcelona unlikely to trigger the option to buy.
It looks likely that Rashford will return to United this summer at least temporarily.
By acknowledging Mainoo’s display, Rashford has shown how highly he rates his teammate, and it could see him eager to play alongside him again.
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