Kobbie Mainoo won plaudits including Manchester United legend Gary Neville for his showing on Sunday against Everton. Mainoo returned from injury to play 72 minutes for Man United at Everton.
Gary Neville was full of high praise on Kobbie Mainoo as he had a starring role during his first league start for Manchester United in their Premier League trip to Everton on Sunday.
Mainoo, 18, made his competitive debut for the club in January, and his league debut as a substitute the following month, but progress this season was hampered by a pre-season injury.
However, Erik ten Hag had the faith to select the England Under-19s player in his starting 11, and Neville was complimentary during his commentary of the match on Sky Sports.
Neville said: ‘There’s an 18 year old out there who looks more composed than anyone.’ He later said: ‘I think he’s been Manchester United’s best player by a street. Wonderful Premier League debut.’
Neville also said Mainoo was the ‘standout player’ of the match – but elected to give the man of the match award to Alejandro Garnacho for his wonder goal. Mainoo was Man United’s most successful dribbler in the game, and made six entries into the final third, the most of any of Erik ten Hag’s players.
The 18-year-old played the opening 72 minutes of the game at Goodison Park, before being replaced by Sofyan Amrabat, when the Red Devils were leading 2-0.
Mainoo picked up an ankle injury during a friendly against Real Madrid in July, but his progress in recovery and training led ten Hag to believe that he was capable of starting at Goodison Park.
Before the game, ten Hag told Sky Sports: ‘I think we’ve seen in pre-season, but then he dropped out with injury and he worked hard to get back. ‘Now he’s back, he’s match fit, playing games the last weeks, so he’s fit and he’s ready.’
Mainoo made his first senior club start last term in the League Cup against Charlton Athletic in January, before making his Premier League debut as a substitute against Leicester City the following month. He was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for his work at Man United.
