Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been picked as our Man of the Match after the Premier League draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Luis Diaz had put the visitors in front, before efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo set United up to take victory, only for Mohamed Salah’s late penalty to ensure the spoils were halved.
Kobbie’s second-half strike, the first of his senior career at the Theatre of Dreams, is a moment that is set to be remembered fondly for some time to come, with his technique comparable to fellow United Academy graduate Federico Macheda’s maiden Old Trafford goal against Aston Villa, just over 15 years ago.
It was the highlight of another milestone day in our no.37’s young first-team career, and finding the net in front of a packed crowd at our home stadium is something he recently told us was a target for him.
“To score for United was an incredible feeling,”
he began, responding to a question in an upcoming Fans’ Q&A episode, about his first United goal at Newport.
“I mean, next now is just to do it at Old Trafford. So that’s what I’m looking forward to next.” Job done, Kobbie!
The clips in the compilation of him nicking the ball away from Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai show how he was able to help turn defence into attack for United, while the second-half sliding tackle on Alexis Mac Allister and the block to deny the same opponent’s shot were instances of the determination and guts needed to compete in such a fixture.
Not to mention the flick over Endo and the dribble forward that embodies the confidence and flair that has made Mainoo a fans’ favourite since his senior emergence.
It is the fourth time that the 18-year-old has been voted as our Man of the Match in 2023/24, with this being the first instance for one of his performances at Old Trafford.
Kobbie has previously taken the crown following his full Premier League debut at Everton, the Emirates FA Cup third-round victory away to Wigan and after his stoppage-time winner in the 4-3 over Wolves in the Midlands.
Runner-up to Mainoo this time around is his midfield counterpart and fellow goalscorer on the afternoon, Bruno Fernandes, who accumulated 18 per cent of the vote following his stunning equaliser from inside the centre-circle.
While Andre Onana rounds out the top four, just behind Kambwala on 11 per cent, after another goalkeeping display in which the Cameroonian produced several important stops.
Thank you to everyone who voted.