Manchester United fans have made their feelings perfectly clear on Kobbie Mainoo after the Red Devils star’s performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s men punched their ticket to the FA Cup quarter-finals after Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest at City Ground last month.
The Red Devils welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp’s men considered the favourites in the FA Cup tie against their Premier League rivals.
Erik ten Hag has faced criticism over United’s underwhelming campaign and the Red Devils boss’ last real chance of lifting major silverware lay with the FA Cup trophy.
The 54-year-old Dutchman came within touching distance of the FA Cup trophy last season, but United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the final at Wembley.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has had a remarkable breakthrough season at United, took his place in the midfield for the FA Cup clash alongside Scott McTominay.
Man Utd star Mainoo vs Liverpool
Kobbie Mainoo produced a sensational display in the first half at Old Trafford, as Scott McTominay fired Manchester United into a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
The 18-year-old United star was lively in the first half and played effortlessly from the heart of midfield, with Mainoo providing a real threat in the final third.
Mainoo has been widely praised since his emergence in the United first team – and rightfully so – with the Stockport-born player impressing again with his performance.
The England Under-18s and Under-19s international had an almost faultless first half until Liverpool mounted a successful comeback against United before half-time.
Alexis Mac Allister cancelled out Scott McTominay’s opener in the 44th minute before Mohamed Salah added Liverpool’s second during first-half injury time.
Mainoo attempted to defend Alexis Mac Allister’s equaliser, only for the ball to take a slight nick off the United’s star boot before beating United No 1 Andre Onana.
Despite the deflection from Mainoo, the United youngster impressed with his performance and was the Red Devils’ best player on the pitch in the first half.
Mainoo was withdrawn late in the second half and replaced by United midfielder Christian Eriksen in the 80th minute.
Man Utd fans react to Mainoo’s FA Cup performance
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Mainoo’s performance at Old Trafford and called him the “best player in a United shirt.”
Other fans were baffled at how Mainoo was not called up for his senior England debut under Gareth Southgate, who explained why he snubbed the United star.
“If Mainoo keeps growing taller, we’re looking at Yaya Toure’s direct regen,” one fan said.
Another added: “I don’t care what happens, I’m taking this Mainoo half as a win.”
While a third asked: “How can Southgate watch Mainoo [and] pick [Jordan] Henderson?”
“Kobbie Mainoo is actually a cheat code,” someone else commented.
A fifth wrote: “Mainoo is by far the best player in a United shirt.”
And a sixth posted: “Forget the deflection. Kobbie Mainoo has been immense so far.”
Somebody else boldly claimed: “Kobbie Mainoo is the best English midfielder in England.”