'Thanks a Lot Reds': Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo Responds To Fans After Award

A young talent, brought up through the academy, saving his boyhood club from misery with a late winner, all in the presence of the great Sir Alex Ferguson. Kobbie Mainoo has been living the dream of every Manchester United fan, and the youngster only continues to dazzle.

Mainoo was the man of the hour as he dribbled his way past the Wolves’ defense and slotted home a wondrous solo goal for the Red Devils in the 97th minute to break the 3-3 deadlock and clinch the three points for United at the death.

The youngster received the ball from Omari Forson – on for his first Premier League match – and drove forward before he tucked away the winner.

His goal yesterday marks his first goal in the Premier League and his second for United, having scored once in last week’s 4-2 victory against Newport County in the FA Cup.

His recent dazzling form earned the 18-year old the honour of being named Manchester United’s Player of the Month (POTM) for January 2024.

In response, Mainoo took to Instagram to express his gratitude to Manchester United fans for voting him as their month’s victor.

“Thanks a lot Reds,” wrote Mainoo on his Instagram with a love heart.

In a season filled with frustration and confusion for the Red Devils, Mainoo has proven to be a shining light through it all, putting up consistent displays of control and maturity beyond his age in central midfield.

The 18-year-old academy product was thrust into the starting line-up of United for his first Premier League start, against Everton in late November, having only previously featured as a late substitute against Leicester in February of 2023.

Despite Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning overhead kick being the highlight of the game at Goodison Park, Mainoo’s display in central midfield was another huge positive for Erik ten Hag’s side.

Since then, Mainoo has only raised his game with every appearance, slowly becoming a stalwart in the Red Devils line-up, garnering the attention and praise of his manager Erik Ten Hag.

“The future for Manchester United is very bright. We have coming up some very young, talented players,” said Ten Hag in a press conference.

“Kobbie Mainoo is one of them, also one for instance is Garnacho, [who is] playing almost every game.”

“We challenge him every day to go to higher levels, and he’s taken it very well. He’s very coachable, really willing to progress and to develop, and that is I think a very good skill for a young player at 18 that in a very short period, he makes incredible progress,” exclaimed Ten Hag.

Mainoo and Garnacho played together as United won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, but they are now regular starters as Ten Hag’s team.