The midfielder's winner against Liverpool fired Manchester United into the Champions League while completing the double over Arne Slot's side this season
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo delivered an outstanding performance in Man United's win over Liverpool
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Kobbie Mainoo received a wave of responses from Marcus Rashford and several Manchester United team‑mates following his heroics against Liverpool. The 21‑year‑old marked his new United contract in spectacular fashion by scoring the winner at Old Trafford, securing the club's place in next season's Champions League.
Despite enjoying the rewards now, Mainoo endured a difficult spell under Ruben Amorim, who struggled to find a role for him in his system. The Portuguese coach tried him as a No.10 and even as a striker, before eventually pitting the academy graduate against Bruno Fernandes for a deeper midfield position.
Michael Carrick reinstated Mainoo to the starting XI, and the youngster has since become central to United's resurgence. His winner came with a composed finish from the edge of the area after Liverpool failed to clear a delivery into the box.
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He was awarded Player of the Match against Liverpool as United extended their lead to six points over Arne Slot's side. Taking to Instagram to share pictures from the game, the academy graduate was flooded with messages from team‑mates, with Rashford appearing at the top of the comments.
Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, replied with a GIF of a man in a thick fur coat and hat pointing straight at the viewer - a reaction meaning 'you', 'that's you', or 'I see you', following Mainoo's heroics.
Matheus Cunha also posted the iconic GIF of Michael Jackson in a red jacket eating popcorn in a cinema, adding: "Love you, Kobbinho" (little Kobbie in Portuguese), while Fernandes shared a GIF of Mainoo himself.
Joshua Zirkzee, who came on in the closing stages, wrote: "The one," and Harry Maguire added two clap emojis. Leny Yoro also posted a GIF, and United's official account joined in with a clap emoji.
United then made a dream start against Slot's side on Sunday, with Cunha and Benjamin Sesko both scoring inside the opening 14 minutes. But after the break, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo struck within ten minutes of each other to bring Liverpool level, before Mainoo erupted Old Trafford with his winning goal.
Kobbie Mainoo and Michael Carrick
Mainoo has enjoyed a superb week at Man United
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Mainoo's week ended on a high after he committed his long‑term future to United by signing a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2031.
Carrick has expressed his pride in his players after their performance and qualification for the Champions League, following their last appearance in the competition in the 2023/24 season.
"In some ways [I'm proud of it]," the interim head coach said post-match. "And, in some ways, I think the work that's been done and the players, the way they've performed, and the teams that we've played against and got good results against, I think it's something that we can take a lot from, for sure.
"I think was well in the distance, a little bit, if we're honest, at one point. So there has been a lot of good work to put us in a position with three games to go and get that sealed. But it's not something we've spoke about as a group really. I think it's not something we over-celebrate.
"I think it's a step. We want more. We want to be finishing higher up the league but, certainly there is huge credit deserved that goes to the players and the staff, for putting us in this position, at this stage. I think the connection that we've all had together has been pretty special and we've had to do it in different ways.
"We've won games in different ways, with different challenges, and today was a different one again. You just keep trying to do the right things and understanding of what it means to be here, and the players for taking everything on board so, so well. To do it with games to spare, like we have, that's one thing but we want to keep kicking on and finish the season strongly."