Romania legend Ilie Dumitrescu blown away by Man Utd wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo vs FCSB, ‘he surprised me’

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Football fans of a certain age will remember the punchy Romania team at the 1994 World Cup, led by Gheorghe Hagi and Ilie Dumitrescu.

Dumitrescu later had a brief time in the Premier League with Tottenham, and he is currently working as a TV analyst in Romania.

He provided his opinion on Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over FCSB in the Europa League, where the Red Devils were by far the better team.

United’s opener was scored by Diogo Dalot, while Kobbie Mainoo scored the second, having provided the assist for the opener.

• READ MORE: Who is Kobbie Mainoo? Inside the life of Man Utd’s rising star, including his parents, brother and school

Kobbie Mainoo praised

Romania legend Ilie Dumitrescu picked out Kobbie Mainoo as the best player on the pitch, quoted via Sport.ro.

Dumitrescu said: “He surprised me. He’s the man of the match one hundred percent, Mainoo.”

He noted on Mainoo’s improved second half and praised Ruben Amorim’s tactical decision to play the teenager in an advanced role.

“He had a few misses and in the first half of the game, he scored the second goal. He debuted as a number five in front of the defense, this time we see him as a ten.”

Amad and Alejandro Garnacho came on at half-time to add a little urgency for United, and it made the difference.

Dumitrescu said: “The moves in the second half brought a plus of superior technique. Dalot and Garnacho created an extra speed, there were a few actions, it was very difficult to cover the areas very well. These are players who make the difference.”

Mainoo in advanced role caused surprise

Kobbie Mainoo played with freedom after being granted license to play in attacking midfield. He had offered a glimpse of this against Fulham, combining with Amad to set up a goal that was disallowed.

But when the line-up was announced, it was unclear where he would play, with Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes all selected in the line-up.

Dumitrescu told Sport.ro that FCSB were not ready for Amorim’s tactics: “They surprised us with a move: Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo swap places.”

With one goal and one assist, the switch worked for Manchester United, and we can expect to see more of Mainoo in this position.