His pass to Alejandro Garnacho was the play pass. But he could have registered his first career assist after failing to match academy team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold. A United source said Maino was reportedly poached by Manchester City when the academy was in disarray last year. “He looked like a Manchester City player,” said Gary Neville after Mainu’s game at Everton last month. If a United fan can swallow his pride, he will take it as a compliment. Maino could be mistaken for a midfielder recruited from Barcelona or Ajax. United once prided themselves on developing powerful and impressive midfielders from Nicky Butt to Darron Gibson and Paul Pogba, but they have adapted as the game has evolved. Manchester United’s Mainu is like Barcelona’s Pedri and Ajax’s Frenkie de Jong.
One obstacle for Erik ten Hag in implementing his unique style at United is the absence of an autocratic midfielder after a 100-day pursuit of De Jong came to nothing. Last December, Ten Hag opened its doors to De Jong. De Jong actually married Barcelona last summer despite how badly he treated her. Christian Eriksen was the perfect solution. It’s a short-term solution for the FA, bringing talent to a region bereft of ball-loving midfielders since Manchester United’s Michael Carrick. Ten Haag has a long-term solution in Maino. The Ten Hag groomed Maino not just for a first-team role, but a first-team role before Casemiro became collateral damage against Real Madrid. Mainu started alongside Casemiro on a stunning night in Houston in July, with Mason Mount further up front and Bruno Fernandes on the right. With the uncertainty surrounding Casemiro’s future and the possibility of Mount being unsuitable for a United shirt, the quartet may never be tested again. Mainu and his teammates will line up in HoustonIf Casemiro represents United’s past, Maino is its present and future. The development is a new scheme for youngsters hoping to walk from the academy building past the Fountain of Youth to the main center where Carrington’s first team are based. Eriksen has returned to training and remains a valuable presence in midfield. His game-changing talent played a crucial role in Manchester United’s only Champions League group stage win against Copenhagen. He has 18 months left on his contract and, like James Garner’s Carrick, is a good mentor for Mainu.
Ten Hag benched Mainu for the 13th game against Newcastle United while Eriksen was unwell. The changing of the guard ceremony is in full swing. Watch and learn: Eriksen is a great mentor for Mainu.At Anfield, referee Mainu was given a stern warning for an accidental foul on Wataru Endo in the 27th minute of the first half. Mainu didn’t get another foul all afternoon until Hannibal allowed Mejbri in the 82nd minute. Maino wasn’t born at the time, but several were there at the Anfield Road end in January 2005 when 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo gave Maino a gladiator’s salute on his way to victory. Mainu didn’t have the advantage of leaving the field with United in front, but he still waved goodbye from the touchline. His name will appear on the West Ham team sheet again on Saturday.
The inclusion of Kobe Mainu’s name on the Anfield team sheet will give Manchester United supporters confidence. Man united were so green that when Wayne Rooney returned to Everton at the age of 19, he was a one-day player. Like Rooney, Mainu also has the personality and qualities to handle testing situations. The 18-year-old started at Goodison Park and endured the deafening noise of Galatasaray and initially a heated Anfield. Maino passed all three tests. He was confident of starting against Liverpool just like his former teammates. Mainu’s minutes against Bayern were both an admission of defeat and preparation for his second start on Merseyside in as many months. Mainu was one of the youngest but one of the smartest guys on the field.
