‘Messi-like’: Journalist wowed by scintillating passage of play from United starlet

Kobbie Mainoo has earned some top-tier praise from fans, pundits and journalists after an outstanding start to Manchester United’s quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

The Red Devils have overseen one of their more spirited first halves of the term in this afternoon’s high-stakes tie, with the Old Trafford faithful roaring their players on from the first blow of the whistle.

Several players have bucked up to the challenge, including goalscorer Scott McTominay, who broke the deadlock after 10 minutes with his ninth of the campaign. But it’s Mainoo who, yet again, has displayed a remarkable performance – thus far – that’s shown experience and calmness well beyond his years.

One passage of play that has quickly received attention is when the 18-year-old exhibited some scintillating footwork to brush past Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez with ease before teasing the ball into Marcus Rashford’s path.

Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst took to Twitter (X) to compare his skills to one footballing great, writing: “Messi-like from Kobbie Mainoo. United should be 2-0 up.”

The footwork from Kobbie Mainoo 😮‍💨#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/7843ce2pA6

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 17, 2024

Footage courtesy of Emirates FA Cup.