Manchester United Instant Startlet Kobbie Mainoo Names His Footballing Heroes
United fans got a few glimpses of Mainoo in the senior team last season, with the teenager starting and playing an hour in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton Athletic of League One in January, playing the last 20 minutes or so against Championship side Reading a couple of weeks later in the FA Cup’s fourth round and then the final 10 against Leicester City for his Premier League debut the following month.
A promising pre-season tour in the U.S. this summer was cut short by an ankle injury sustained in the trip’s penultimate match against Real Madrid. He recovered from that to make the bench for the three previous Premier League games but at Goodison Park this past weekend, amid a fiery atmosphere linked to Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules, 18-year-old Mainoo made his proper starting senior debut for the club he joined at age nine.
It was a performance that led Gary Neville to say the midfielder “looked like a Manchester City player” on Sky Sports’ commentary for the match, such was Mainoo’s ability to receive and pass on the half-turn. “We don’t want to get too carried away, but I’m sure we will,” said Sky pundit Roy Keane, before offering that Mainoo “looked a Man United type of player. Nice and brave. Lots of courage”.
Wes Brown said he looked “very comfortable” when talking to MUTV, the club’s in-house television channel. Gary Pallister said Mainoo did his defensive duties well. Ian Wright said he played “like a senior pro”. On Match of the Day 2, the BBC’s Premier League highlights show, Danny Murphy reflected that Mainoo took to the defensive midfield role at United “effortlessly” and that Everton players “couldn’t get near him at times”.
Mainoo’s passing game focused on doing the simple things well rather than going for spectacular highlight moments. Still, as detailed above, the sensible way he looked to collect and redistribute the ball caught the eye.
It was impressive watching an 18-year-old not only show for the ball but also talk to McTominay (who often struggles to find space when marked) and Bruno Fernandes (who prioritises ball progression over ball retention) about how they might better manoeuvre themselves. Via — TheAthletic
Kobbie Mainoo names his three footballing heroes
Kobbie Mainoo spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live & talkSPORT after his first England call-up. Came across really impressively Asked about his footballing heroes, the Manchester United teenager said: “I’d say Rooney, Scholes as well & King Eric. It was a bit before my time but I still appreciate it”
Even though Eric Cantona was a bit before Mainoo’s time, the youngster considers the Frenchman as one of his footballing heroes.
