When a new young prospect bursts onto the scene many are quick to compare them to a current great.
The 'next Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes' tags can often weigh a player down with the burden of expectation. Very few make it to the heights of those that they aspire to be and are all too quickly deemed 'failures' because of it.
Unfortunately for Kobbie Mainoo he will most likely be saddled with the same pressure, but if his performance for the under-21s against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend is anything to go by, he should hopefully be able to cope just fine.
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In the first half, the Stockport talent played the number ten role. His ability to link up play for United made them a threat at almost every opportunity. Mainoo's connections with Charlie McNeill and Shola Shoretire in the first 45 showed how he could fit into a future United side.
Erik ten Hag likes to have a player that can connect the midfield with the attack, the job currently assigned to Bruno Fernandes. Mainoo showed elegance in that role and deserved his goal when it eventually came. A corner to the back post found Mainoo unmarked to fire home for the Reds.
In the second half, Mainoo provided us with an insight into his adaptability. With McNeill coming off at the break after missing a gilt-edged opportunity, Mainoo moved into the forward line, and the ease with which he seamlessly transitioned into his new position will have pleased Mark Dempsey greatly.
His second of the afternoon showed his knack for being in the right place at the right time. Brighton's vulnerability at corners would be their downfall as Mainoo ensured he was ready to force a shot goalward when the ball inevitably trickled out to him.
Overall it was a very promising performance from the 17-year-old. Like teammate Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo showed that the step-up in age bracket is not fazing him.
Before we get too excited though we must take our optimism with a pinch of salt. Mainoo is not quite ready for first-team football. His stature at present means he would struggle with the physicality of the Premier League.
But this will eventually come. United are in no place to rush his development and the calibre of opposition in the Premier League 2 will aid his progression without a doubt.
Reds supporters watching on will have been buoyed by what they saw from their new starlet. Maybe the future is looking bright for United after all.
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