Liverpool staff in awe over Kobbie Mainoo’s “outrageous” Manchester United performance

Kobbie Mainoo’s rise to stardom at Manchester United so far has been a highlight of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at the Old Trafford club.

Kobbie Mainoo was becoming prepared for his integration into the first team during Manchester United‘s pre-season last summer. However, an injury in the early minutes against Real Madrid stopped the now 18-year-old from embedding himself in the team from the beginning of this season.

The ankle injury kept him out for just under four months, but the Stockport-born player finally made his first appearance of the season when he started against Everton in mid-November. Since then, he has become an essential part of Erik ten Hag‘s team.

His best performance yet

Possibly his finest performance to date in a red shirt came last weekend during United’s dramatic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford, where Mainoo played 83 minutes.

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According to The Mirror, Mainoo’s performance at United was so good that “members of Liverpool’s staff were expressing their admiration for Mainoo and his outrageous talent” at the full-time whistle.

Mainoo has earned his praise

Mainoo’s performance against Liverpool was such a flawless one that, although he had originally been omitted from England’s initial 25-man squad for the March internationals, Gareth Southgate had no choice but to add him to the team.

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England are set to play against Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening before hosting Belgium at the same venue, and Mainoo is expected to make his international debut at some point in these two games.

Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire are also expected to be involved.

Mainoo explains his goals

“It’s been a pretty mad couple of days,” Mainoo explained to the media following his call-up.

“Sunday obviously was a great game and a great win, then to get called up to the U21s… obviously I was excited to come. Then getting down here and realising that I was with the first team was amazing.

“I was shocked and happy, and it’s been a whirlwind of emotions.”

He continued, explaining that he wants to make the squad for the Euros this summer: “Yeah, I think that’s the end goal for the season, to get into that squad,” Mainoo said.

“But obviously, I’ve got to focus on club football in the meantime, and hopefully that’ll figure itself out.”