Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane gave rave reviews about Kobbie Mainoo following his impressive debut in the Red Devils’ 3-0 Premier League win at Everton on Sunday evening.
The 18-year-old Anglo-Ghanian had been out with a ankle injury that he suffered during pre-season and though he had been an unused substitute in United’s last three league matches, he finally got to make his long-awaited debut and received nothing but praise from the fans who were impressed with his defensive and passing abilities, and ultimately voted him as the Man of the Match.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said:
“Mainoo has been Manchester United’s best player by a street. A brilliant, brilliant Premier League debut from him.”
Keane, also speaking on Sky Sports stated:
“Unbelievable. We don’t want to get too carried away but I’m sure we will.
“He looked like he always had time on the ball today, his decision-making, in terms of when to go long when to go short, in terms of off the ball as well. What an all-round performance.
“The club obviously think highly of him. With the build-up to the game today, coming to Everton, for the manager to put him in, he and the staff around the place obviously must trust him.
“Good luck to the kid. He was outstanding. It’s a great start for him. Let’s hope he stays injury-free and gets a run of games for Man Utd because he looked a Man Utd type of player.
“Nice and brave, lots of courage. I loved watching him.”
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United manager Ten Hag, who watched the match from the stands due to a touchline ban, also spoke highly of Mainoo and is tipping the academy graduate to build on his performance at Goodison Park.
“He has a lot of abilities,” the Dutch tactician said in his post-match press conference.
“It was a really disappointing moment in pre-season when he got a bad injury, for him and also for our team because I know he can progress a lot if he plays as he did today. I know young players can develop quickly.
“We thought it was the moment to bring him in. He did a great job. Now he has to build on this.”
Mainoo will be looking to make his debut in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night when United travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in a must-win encounter.
