Another week, another scintillating showing from Kobbie Mainoo. It’s just becoming the norm.
The Manchester United starlet came in clutch yet again by producing one of the most spectacular finishes we’ve seen at Old Trafford in some time: an inch-perfect curled finish, which was almost an exact replicate of Federico Macheda’s strike against Aston Villa back in 2009.
Unfortunately, a late spot-kick – converted by Mohamed Salah – meant that Mainoo’s contribution wasn’t the game-winner, much to every Red’s dismay. It’d have been nothing less than he deserved after proving his ability to perform to such an outstanding level in these high-stakes clashes.
His mature style of play in each game already has fans raving over his current talents along with what he could develop into should his career continue on its upward trajectory.
But it’s also moments like that, a vital goal when up against the then-league leaders, that will have Gareth Southgate strongly considering including the 18-year-old in his Euros squad.
Mainoo’s magic leaves pundit amazed
Former Red Danny Simpson was on punditry with MUTV for the fixture. Like the rest of us, he was left stunned by the teenager’s contribution.
“I’m running out of words. He’s got everything hasn’t he,” Simpson raved. “To execute that finish in that corner, in this fixture in that moment, for his age is fantastic.
“I’m just gutted for him [that] it wasn’t the winner, which would have been a lot more sweeter. He’s showing everyone week in, week out, my [his] game is getting stronger, we’ve got an absolute top talent on our hands.”