Kobbie Mainoo struck a late winner against Liverpool to secure Manchester United a place in next season’s Champions League after Gary Neville and Roy Keane expressed pre-match doubts
Kobbie Mainoo marked his new Manchester United contract in spectacular fashion against Liverpool while simultaneously silencing Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
Earlier in the week, Mainoo pledged his long-term future to United by putting pen to paper on a fresh deal that ties him to Old Trafford until 2031. United then made a dream start against Arne Slot’s outfit on Sunday when Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko found the net within the opening 14 minutes.
Nevertheless, a sluggish beginning to the second period allowed the reigning Premier League champions to mount a comeback. Dominik Szoboszlai capitalised on Amad’s wayward pass to pull one back before Cody Gakpo restored parity following a Senne Lammens error.
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Yet with 13 minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Mainoo fired home from the edge of the area after Liverpool failed to clear a delivery into the penalty area. His strike also guaranteed United a spot in next season’s Champions League.
It arrived after Roy Keane had expressed pre-match reservations about the England international. He said: “Mainoo has given them some energy; he’s helped Casemiro.
“But I have my worries about them – the centre-backs and the centre-midfielders, you can get at them.” It was not only former United captain Keane who voiced his concerns about the midfielder.
Neville commented during the first half: “The one message that Michael Carrick will want to get to his players at half-time is that there’s a bit of a gap between the midfield and his defence.”
“Liverpool are getting players into that area. They are going to have to tighten up a little bit. Liverpool could score from around 20 yards.”
Following Mainoo’s goal, Neville remarked: “It’s been a tough second half for Man Utd and Mainoo, but he could have just cancelled out all of that worry.” Neville, however, still pushed for a personnel change again shortly after that strike.
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“I’m sure they’re thinking about how to get more strength in the middle of midfield, where Liverpool are dominating. It would be dangerous to leave Mainoo and Casemiro in the midfield alone right now.”
However, speaking after the final whistle, Keane appeared to temper his earlier criticism, saying: “It’s a great moment for him. He’s had his challenges over the last few months. That’s the journey of any young player. He’s taken his opportunity. To score the winning goal for any local kid, it’s fantastic.”
Mainoo’s future at United had appeared uncertain, having dropped down the pecking order under former manager Ruben Amorim, with a loan request in August rejected before transfer speculation intensified in January. However, Carrick’s arrival proved to be a turning point for the England international, who has since established himself as a key figure at United.


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