OFF AND RUNNING
Even earlier than January was out, Kobbie had notched his first senior purpose for the Reds. Having began within the third-round win at Wigan, the midfielder retained his spot for the FA Cup fourth-round journey to Newport County, the place it took him simply 13 minutes to place United 2-0 up. His maiden first-team strike was executed in what would quickly change into trademark Mainoo fashion: unflustered to the acute. Diogo Dalot carried possession into the right-hand facet of the hosts’ penalty space, pulled the ball again and, with out breaking stride, {the teenager} whipped an unstoppable first-time end into the far nook of the purpose. “It’s a giant level in my profession,” he informed MUTV after the Reds survived a scare to progress by a 4-2 margin. “Clearly, coming in and to attain my first purpose… I’ve been dreaming of this second for a very long time. It’s been wonderful.”
MOLINEUX MADNESS
“I nonetheless really feel like I’m dreaming,” laughed the teenager when he subsequent confronted the post-match cameras, simply 4 days after opening his account at Newport. This time, on the identical day he picked up his first official membership Participant of the Month award for his January exploits, Mainoo was the centre of consideration after a mind-blowing begin to February. A positive private show within the Reds’ Premier League journey to Molineux seemed set to go to waste when United squandered a 3-1 lead with simply 5 minutes of regular time remaining. The hosts’ late comeback squared the sport within the ninety fifth minute, but in some way Kobbie discovered the time and composure to maintain his calm within the storm, selecting up possession from fellow Academy graduate Omari Forson, slaloming in the direction of the Wolves purpose and slotting in a sensational far-post winner. Simply as gripping was the nonchalance of his celebration as he trotted in the direction of an away part seized by bedlam, as if he hadn’t carried out something particular. Because it turned out, fashioning the routine from the spectacular would change into one other of Kobbie’s calling playing cards. “I’m not saying he’s of the identical capability and he’s that participant but, however he provides me the vibes of Clarence Seedorf,” poured former Reds defender Rio Ferdinand, unpacking Mainoo’s star flip as a TNT pundit. “The best way he can manoeuvre in tight conditions, and the best way he manipulates the ball, makes use of his physique at occasions… lovely.”
