Bruno Fernandes singled out one player for praise after Manchester United’s FA Cup final triumph.
Manchester United have ended a terrible campaign on an incredible high by defeating neighbours Manchester City to win the FA Cup for the 13th time.
The odds were stacked against United ahead of facing the Premier League champions but Erik ten Hag, in the face of mounting speculation surrounding his future, outmanoeuvred a bitter Pep Guardiola.
United sat deep, flooded the midfield and were clinical on the break as they knocked City off their game and were ruthless with their opportunities.
United only had 26 per cent possession but were deserving of their win. Alejandro Garnacho tapped in the opener after a mishap between Josko Gvardiol and the goalkeeper gifted him an empty net.
Fellow teenager Kobbie Mainoo scored the second by finishing off a lovely team move after a sublime Bruno Fernandes pass.
The captain was excellent himself in the match but moved to shower Mainoo with praise in the aftermath.
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Bruno Fernandes praises FA Cup final-winner Kobbie Mainoo
Speaking to the BBC, Fernandes said: “Kobbie Mainoo is really good.
“Such a quality player and you can see the composure he had with the finish.
“He came through the academy and once more on the biggest stage in the world, he showed it again.
“Congratulations to everyone, the staff, the players and all the fans, they have given us a big push – finally we have something to celebrate.”
Another sublime Kobbie Mainoo performance
Mainoo has been the breakout United star of the season and will rightly be heading to Germany this summer for Euro 2024.
However, his form did dip after earning his first England caps in March, not helped by United’s awful performances in the league.
Yet, when the stage was biggest and his side needed him, the youngster stepped up to the plate and put in a sensational display.
Though his finish was the picture of cool, it was not an eye-catching display on the ball but rather one of hard work and positional discipline to keep the best collection of forwards in football quiet.
Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva. None of them had a sniff and Mainoo played a big role in that.
As Garnacho told the BBC after the game: “[He is] Incredible. The best player in the squad and he’s the youngest. We’re also good friends. I’m so happy for him.”
Who knows the heights he could reach, hopefully starting this summer.