It was easy to forget that Kobbie Mainoo had never started a Premier League game until Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old’s lone previous Premier League experience came at the end of United’s 3-0 win against Leicester City at Old Trafford in February. He came on for the final 10 minutes in lieu of previous loanee Marcel Sabitzer.
But, given the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag to put him in the starting lineup in recent weeks, you’d be forgiven for believing he was already a seasoned regular. Calls for him to be given a head start were growing stronger as the journey to Merseyside approached.
You might understand why he was withdrawn after 72 minutes of United’s final-ever league visit to Goodison Park. Deployed at the engine room’s base, the academy graduate delivered a refined performance that drew praise from both United supporters and those watching as neutrals.
Despite being given his first-ever league start on a day when the atmosphere was designed to intimidate and prevent United from playing their best, Mainoo was on top of his game. He did not play like a player who had just made three senior appearances for the club, controlling proceedings in midfield and using the ball smartly and coolly.
Instead, he delivered a performance that made it difficult for Ten Hag to consider cutting him from his plans for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League match against Galatasaray in Turkey. He should be among the first names on the roster.
Mainoo was vital defensively as well as offensively, helping United survive the attacking barrage that undoubtedly followed after Alejandro Garnacho shot them into an incredible third-minute lead. After that early setback, the Toffees fashioned out a series of chances, several of which should have been taken.
They began to command the game and play at a pace that United has frequently failed to handle with this season. As history threatened to repeat itself, with the Reds easing off after a promising start, Mainoo stood up and led by example, keeping things as neat and tidy as possible when United ultimately got hold of the ball.
Former United right-back Gary Neville, who was on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, praised the youngster’s mentality and response to the scenario, which was a new experience for him. He paid him a complement, which should boost his confidence even more.
“It’s been difficult for the last 10 or 15 minutes, but Mainoo looks like the only United player who is standing up,” Neville stated during the first half. The 18-year-old with the red shirt appears to be the most experienced.”
To receive such acclaim on his complete Premier League debut at the age of 18 will boost the midfielder’s confidence in the coming weeks and months. He didn’t look out of place in United’s midfield, and he justified Ten Hag’s choice to put him in the starting lineup.
Furthermore, his goal-line clearance in the 32nd minute to deny Dwight McNeil, who had dinked the ball over Andre Onana in a frenzied scramble, was a testament to his character and mindset. It was a decisive moment in his determination to keep the ball out of the net at any costs.
Though Marcus Rashford, who broke his goal drought with an impressive penalty, and Anthony Martial added to United’s score after halftime, Mainoo’s clearance little over 10 minutes before halftime was a crucial moment in the game. The headlines may have been drastically different if he hadn’t shown the awareness and commitment to deny McNeil’s goal-bound effort.