Mainoo can be matchday main man for Reds

KOBBIE Mainoo has played more important games for Manchester United than this, but he's never come up against the calibre of opposition he faced in Arsenal's midfield.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

It was a real test for the 18-year-old against Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard and it was another pass mark achieved.

Mainoo played the deep role in a 4-3-3, with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes ahead of him, and he didn't look out of place. In a mid field battle in the first half blessed with five internationals and some outstanding footballers, the teenager from Stockport slotted in seamlessly.

He was at the heart of a lot of United's best moves. It was a sharp forward pass from him that helped inject pace into an attack that ended with Mount and Antony both having shots blocked when the duo linked up well to weave their way into the Arsenal box.

Maintaining possession is also vital in the United midfield under Erik ten Hag and Mainoo has that ability. He covered acres of ground across the substantial MetLife Stadium pitch, popping up on the right on the half-hour to collect a kick from Tom Heaton. Mainoo did well keeping the ball under pressure from Gabriel Martinelli before moving it infield to Fernandes.

From there the new club captain got his reign off to a perfect start, towards turning goal and firing home from 25 yards, although Aaron Ramsdale would have expected to make the save.