Roy Keane suggested that he was amazed by one Manchester United player after their draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s side punishing the visitors for not taking their chances.
If you simply took Manchester United’s first-half performance in isolation, there is absolutely no way that you would have expected anything other than a huge Liverpool win on Sunday.
United were blown away during the first 45 minutes. And with that, they would have felt extremely fortunate to only go into the break 1-0 down.
The home side certainly made Liverpool pay for not taking their chances in the first 25 minutes of the second-half.
Bruno Fernandes equalised with an audacious first-time hit from 40 yards. But, while that was an impressive goal, it was nothing compared to what came next.
Roy Keane lauds ‘amazing’ Manchester United player
Kobbie Mainoo channelled his inner Federico Macheda to find the top corner with a stunning strike to put United in front. It was a hit where he did not leather the ball. And yet, Caoimhin Kelleher could not get anywhere near the attempt.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Unfortunately for Mainoo, it did not prove to be the winner, with Mohamed Salah equalising late on. But he still earned the plaudits from Roy Keane, who was speaking to Sky Sports after the full-time whistle (broadcast on 7/4; 17:37).
“Not bad for a sitting midfielder, is it. We’ve seen him score a few goals now. But the key for this is his first touch. Again, his awareness, quality of finish, brilliant goal, absolutely amazing strike,” he said.
Kobbie Mainoo is passing every test so far
You do have to wonder, at this point, whether there is anything Mainoo cannot do. It is so easy to forget that the 18-year-old had made just three first-team appearances before this season.
Mainoo looks to have so many strings to his bow. And he has now scored a couple of big goals for ten Hag’s men.
United will be wary of asking too much of him at this stage of his career. But the teenager is clearing every single hurdle put in front of him right now.
