Kobbie Mainoo offers Man United hope with incredible U21 performance

Kobbie Mainoo has offered Man United a glimmer of hope after an incredible performance for the U21s last night.

Pre-season is always an exciting time as a football fan. I love casting a watchful eye over the next generation of players who could potentially grow into regular first-teamers.

For Manchester United, this summer was all about Kobbie Mainoo. The Stockport-born midfielder looked truly brilliant during his limited minutes, before he’d pick up an injury that would rule him out for three months.

The talented teen was being talked up as someone who could start games for the first-team at that point. The good news? The injury doesn’t seem to have set him back or knocked his confidence.

Mainoo would make his return to the U21 fold last week and last night, he’d continue his comeback with his first full 90 minutes at the same level.

The 18-year-old United starlet certainly offered a glimmer of hope, with an incredible performance against Salford’s U21s. He’d pick up two assists and look like a level above everyone else on the pitch. Slowly but surely, Mainoo is nearing a first-team return and I’m super excited to see how he gets on.

Before we go any further, check out his individual highlights from the game yesterday:

It’s hard not to heap the pressure on Mainoo because he’s so young, but it’s so difficult as he’s immensely talented. He didn’t look out of place in the first-team over the summer and I truly do believe we’re looking at someone who could slot straight into the midfield – particularly with the way the current side is playing in that area of the pitch.

No doubt Ten Hag will go down the patience route, though if results keep going as badly as they are, he could be forced into thrusting Mainoo in earlier than he’d originally planned. Personally, I feel like giving him starting minutes could be the spark that the whole dressing room needs.

More than anything in football right now, I enjoy watching academy graduates succeed at the highest level. Mainoo is United through and through. I am super excited to see him grow and develop as a footballer.

Do you think Kobbie Mainoo is already good enough to start for Man United regularly? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.