- Kobbie Mainoo hit Man United’s late winner in 4-3 thriller against Wolves
- Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for the 18-year-old defensive midfielder
- Rasmus Hojlund has no help up front! Even at Man United it’s a hard sell to get someone in to help him – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off Transfer Week podcast
Rio Ferdinand was full of high praise for 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo after his stoppage time goal gave Manchester United a 4-3 win away at Wolves on Thursday.
The visitors looked to have control of proceedings at Molineux, but were pegged back in added time, before Mainoo’s late finish.
In the moments following the victory, Ferdinand said that he was impressed by Mainoo’s performance, with the young defensive midfielder having eight straight starts in a Man United shirt now.
On the high praise that Mainoo has received so far, Ferdinand told TNT Sports ‘he deserves it’, before going on to compare him to a legend of the game.
‘I’m not saying he’s of the same ability and he’s that player yet, but you give me the signs, this gives me the vibes of Clarence Seedorf,’ Ferdinand said.
Kobbie Mainoo won a top-quality comparison after his stoppage time winner against Wolves
The Manchester United midfielder has become an important part of Erik ten Hag’s side
Rio Ferdinand compared Mainoo to four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf
‘The way you can manoeuvre in tight situations, and the way he manipulates his ball, uses his body at times, but then shifts it and just just pops it through the legs of [Max] Kilman there. Beautiful.
‘Elusive at times as well. Just the control and the awareness to be able to pick his spot there. Some players see the headlights there, and the back pages, and think “I’m just gonna go for it”. He just caressed it.’
Seedorf is classed as one of history’s greatest midfielders, winning the Champions League with three different clubs – Ajax, Real Madrid, and twice at AC Milan.
Fellow pundit and former Wolves defender Joleon Lescott jumped in on Mainoo too.
‘He’s consistently composed all the way through that’, Lescott said, ‘and you might not see it now, but what’s important in that in that action is the starting position.
‘I think he was just behind the ball. So when it breaks down, he’s in the perfect position to start the attack again.’
Marcus Rashford scored within the first five minutes on his return to the Man United team following disciplinary action, while Rasmus Hojlund made it 2-0 at the break.
A controversial penalty gave the hosts a lifeline, before Scott McTominay looked to have sealed it at 3-1 with 15 minutes remaining.
Marcus Rashford scored within the opening five minutes despite being left out last time
Rasmus Hojlund made it 2-0 midway through the first half as Man United looked in control
However, Kilman’s 85th minute goal set up a tense finale, and Pedro Neto looked to have stolen a point for Wolves before Mainoo’s late goal.
Man United are back in action when they host West Ham on Sunday afternoon, before travelling to Aston Villa seven days later.
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