Manchester United‘s academy star Kobbie Mainoo has sent club supporters into meltdown after showcasing his physicality and technical ability during pre-season training.
The midfielder made his first-team debut during a 60 minute appearance in United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton at the start of January.
Two more outings followed in the FA Cup against Reading and a Premier League debut against Leicester in February. Mainoo has risen through United’s academy ranks and is one of several youth talents to be involved in pre-season training as first-team stars returned to Carrington last week.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is keen to promote youngsters into the first-team and a clip from training shows that Mainoo may not be far from regular senior minutes.
A training drill involving the 18-year-old see’s him tasked with receiving the ball into feet and then having to try and turn Brazilian midfielder Fred.
Two separate occasions show Mainoo doing exactly that as he uses a combination of his physicality and quick feet to get round the experienced star.
A first attempt see’s Mainoo use a body feint to send Fred the wrong way before then turning back and moving the ball forward into open space.
His second see’s him hold his opponent at distance and then creating space with a pass into another attacker.
United’s recent acquisition of Mason Mount could hinder Mainoo’s first-team chances, but some supporters feel he is braced for a breakthrough season.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
