‘Beautiful footballer in the making’: Man United fans wax lyrical about academy star Kobbie Mainoo, 18, as the young midfielder is seen breezing past £52m Fred in training
- Man United star Kobbie Mainoo has impressed fans in pre-season training
- The academy prospect was filmed getting the better of Brazilian star Fred
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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.
Manchester United academy star Kobbie Mainoo has sent Manchester United fans into meltdown after a recent training drill
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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.
Two clips of Kobbie Mainoo in training vs Fred. Similar scenarios. Exactly what we saw a lot of in academy football.
Body feint in 1st clip and rolling his marker in the 2nd. Only a training clip but Kobbie has always been very good at this.
pic.twitter.com/4qS2MtUzTz— academyarena Utd (@academyarenaUTD) July 10, 2023
One clip shows Mainoo (blue bib) using a body feint to get past Fred (right)
Mainoo (middle) made three senior appearances for United’s first-team last season
One commenter responding to the clip stated: ‘Not saying it’s displayed in this clip but tightness of turn and ability to manipulate the ball with all parts of either foot is absolutely elite for a player of his age. Beautiful footballer in the making.’
Another added: ‘Super talent and is showing signs of having already adjusted to first team football.’
However, some critics weren’t impressed and one post insisted Mainoo wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary, adding: ‘Man I need to go check my eyes, because all I could see was a pro doing the bare minimum. Nothing special in my opinion.’
Mainoo will be hoping for further first-team opportunities when United embark on their pre-season tour of America where they face Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund.
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