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27th November 2023
10:27am GMT
Kobbie Mainoo impressed on his first start for Manchester United as he played a pivotal role in their 3-0 win against Everton.
The 18-year-old was thrusted straight into action following his return from injury.
His only previous experience in the Premier League was when he came on as a late substitute in a win against Leicester City back in February.
Mainoo made a vital goal-line clearance to keep United 1-0 up going into half time and was praised by Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
"There's an 18-year-old out there who looks more composed than anyone," Neville said during co-commentary duty for Sky Sports.
"Mainoo has been Manchester United's best player by a street. A brilliant, brilliant Premier League debut from him."
Roy Keane added: "We don't want to get too carried away but I'm sure we will.
"He looked like he always had time on the ball today, his decision-making, in terms of when to go long when to go short, in terms of off the ball as well. What an all-round performance.
"Good luck to the kid. He was outstanding. It's a great start for him. Let's hope he stays injury-free and gets a run of games for Man Utd because he looked a Man Utd type of player.
"Nice and brave, lots of courage. I loved watching him."
Fans were also equally as impressed, with one user saying: "He looks like a baller.
"What a win, fantastic in the second half, no doubt this game will be all about that absolutely stunning Garnacho goal but for me it was all about Kobbie Mainoo, I believe that I stated a few months that he should be slowly integrated into the first team, well you can scrap that now, he's ready, so mature and ridiculously composed in the middle of the park at such a young age also brings much needed physicality to his game aswell, he's a special talent," wrote a second.
Another said: "Exactly the player we've been crying out for,can receive the ball on the turn and carry it,composer, and pace."
A fourth added: Kobbie Mainoo is the real deal."
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