There were many positives for Manchester United as they thrashed Everton at Goodison Park with a 3-0 scoreline. Alejandro Garnacho’s wonder goal, Anthony Martial’s return on the scoresheet, Marcus Rashford on the right wing, many positives for Erik ten Hag but the biggest one came in the base of midfield with Kobbie Mainoo.
The 18-year-old academy product was given his first Premier League start by Erik ten Hag alongside Scott McTominay. The midfielder had many highlights in the game with a strong showing in and out of possession. He saved Manchester United with a goal-line clearance when the game was poised at 1-0.
The boy is too good 😊
— LiveLifeLoud 🔰 🔰 (@Quwam2382) November 27, 2023
Another highlight came in the second half when the English midfielder played a perfectly weighted pass to Bruno Fernandes to create a big goal-scoring chance under pressure. Manchester United fans lauded Mainoo for his forward thinking instead of playing the safe back pass.
The pass lit up the eyes of Manchester United fans who have been craving such creativity from the base of midfield for quite some time. The pass gained some traction on social media as it was shared by many fan accounts of the English club.
The boy is special……not the first time, he played the same pass in pre-season against Arsenal that led to a goal
— Anigor (@Buby6855) November 27, 2023
Fans of the club flocked into the comments to shower praise on the young midfielder. Comments like “The boy is special..not the first time, he played the same pass in pre-season against Arsenal that led to a goal, My man of the match yesterday..He’s so promising” “We really need to look after this boy he is very, very special. He’s a very brilliant footballer” and “Boy is too good” echoed the sentiments of the fans.
Erik ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes shower praises on Kobbie Mainoo for his debut performance
Manchester United fans were not alone in applauding the first Premier League start of the young midfielder. Team captain, Bruno Fernandes and manager, Erik ten Hag showered praises on the academy product in the post-match interviews.
Erik ten Hag said: “We have to develop players. Kids have to deserve it. It was painful for us when he got a bad injury in pre-season but now he’s back. He’s a good boy, very mature. He showed it today. I like him.” Bruno Fernandes added: “He’s the man of the match. For his age, he has so much qualities. He sees things before others.”
🔴 Ten Hag on Kobbie Mainoo’s debut: “We have to develop players. Kids have to deserve it. It was painful for us when he got a bad injury in pre-season but now he’s back”.
“He’s a good boy, very mature. He showed it today. I like him”. pic.twitter.com/y8CZf71CbH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 26, 2023
During the match, Gary Neville commented on the composure of Mainoo: “There’s an 18-year-old out there who looks more composed than anyone. Mainoo has been Manchester United’s best player by a street. A brilliant, brilliant Premier League debut from him.”
Erik ten Hag revealed that he would have started Mainoo earlier in the season but the midfielder suffered an ankle injury in July 2023 which kept him out for 87 days. The Dutch boss felt that the young midfielder shouldn’t be rushed and waited another month to give Mainoo his first league start of his career. It turned out to be a great decision as evidenced by the performance from the academy product.