Kobbie Mainoo has told Manchester United what midfielder to sign this summer

Kobbie Mainoo still got the plaudits and managed to dominate the headlines, despite not participating in the final 40 minutes of Manchester United's epic win over Liverpool.

Amad got a slice of the glory, of course, for his winner deep into extra-time and there was deserved praise for the likes of Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Antony, the other goalscorers.

But Mainoo is the one player who unites the crowd, not just among United fans, but opposition supporters, pundits and journalists alike. Everyone agrees he is the real deal.

The fact his removal by Erik ten Hag, on the 80-minute mark against Liverpool, caused so much consternation among United fans at the time is a mark of his stature in this squad. The 18-year-old is the club's youngest senior player but often appears the most mature and the most composed.

Providing he stays fit, you can now safely ink Mainoo's name onto any United teamsheet. The only question comes over the position he should play.

Against Liverpool he dropped into the deeper role in which he caught the eye on his league debut at Everton in November.

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In the intervening period, Mainoo has largely operated in the more advanced No.8 role ahead of Casemiro, although there's now a significant debate to be had over which is his more effective position and the impact the answer has on United's upcoming transfer search.

On one hand, Mainoo's ball-carrying abilities and the fact Ten Hag likes to screen his defence with a tough-tackling midfielder more akin to Casemiro, means the box-to-box position seems a natural fit.

But Mainoo is