Kobbie Mainoo showed what he would bring to Manchester United within 10 seconds of Leeds win
The game had only just begun when Kobbie Mainoo sprung into action and showed exactly why hopes are so high for him at Manchester United.
United were taking part in their first friendly of pre-season as they faced fierce rivals Leeds United in Oslo, a match they won 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill. With many members of Erik ten Hag's senior squad still to return to training following their international commitments last month, it was a chance for several of United's promising youngsters to impress. None of them did their chances of catching the coaching staff's eyes any harm at all.
Mainoo, however, was the standout. It was made clear by Ten Hag's starting XI that the 18-year-old is already firmly in his plans by giving him a starting berth in the Norwegian capital. All of the senior players available bar Brandon Williams started the game, including a debuting Mason Mount, with Mainoo, Amad, Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal Mejbri and Omari Forson plugging the gaps.
Positioned in the deepest midfield role usually occupied by Casemiro, it took Mainoo all of a few seconds to make his first mark on the game. The ball was immediately contested after kick-off and was up for grabs in the middle of the park. This is when Mainoo claimed it and began to move forward, with players closing in he threaded an excellent pass through the eye of a needle to Amad advancing on the right.
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The Ivorian, also looking to make an impression following a successful season at Sunderland, frightened the Leeds defenders so much as he tried to cut in on his left that he was scythed down to prevent a shot on goal. Though it eventually came to nothing, it was an incisive,