Manchester United often struggle to serve up an enjoyable product on the pitch, especially this season.
So it was apt that one of the talking points at Old Trafford came before kick-off as Manchester United took on Sheffield United.
Despite the uninspiring semi-final win, there was a buzz at Old Trafford due to the number of young players in the matchday squad.
And two of them caught the eye with a pre-match routine, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad entertaining the crowd.
Amad and Kobbie Mainoo warm-up
Amad and Kobbie Mainoo’s pre-match routine was discussed during MUTV’s live coverage.
Presenter Mark Sullivan told the channel: “We’ve just been watching Amad and Kobbie doing a bit of keep-up, they are class aren’t they, the ball hasn’t touched the ground.
“The technique of those two boys is fantastic.”
Former Manchester United academy defender Phil Bardsley was in agreement, commenting: “They are playing with so much enjoyment, they have both got smiles on their faces.”
He then went on to compare Amad and Mainoo’s warm-up routine to two famous former players.
He commented: “The best warm-up I have ever seen here was Beckham and Veron,” referring to the famed way they used to volley the ball across the pitch to one another.
“I used to come here just to watch that, but that wasn’t far behind.”
How Amad and Mainoo played
Kobbie Mainoo was in the starting line-up and found it tricky alongside Christian Eriksen, who has been a shadow of the player he was when he signed for the club.
Amad came on in the 52nd minute as a replacement for Antony, and he was part of a strong second half performance as Manchester United eventually broke Sheffield United’s resistance.
Mainoo played 90 minutes, substituted off in stoppage time as Sofyan Amrabat made his return from injury.
Mainoo ended up with an assist after supplying the pass for Bruno Fernandes’ spectacular long range effort. Manchester United won the game 4-2.
He completed 91 per cent of his passes, and made three successful dribbles. Amad completed 17 of 18 passes attempted, showing Erik ten Hag he can trust him when he brings him on.
